ELDORET, July 1, 2022 – President Uhuru Kenyatta has praised the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) for going above and beyond their core mandate of defending the country from external aggression.
The President, who was accompanied by First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, stated that the KDF, as a modern and versatile military, has embraced and excelled in unfamiliar nation-building roles.
“Because of your track record of producing excellent results, I have occasionally tasked the KDF with taking over various strategic national programs and even rescuing failing institutions.”
I occasionally give the KDF control over different important national programs and even the duty of saving failing institutions because of your track record of producing excellent results.
Projects done by KDF
The President praised the team for their remarkable work in bringing back nearly 600 kilometres of the dead Metre Guage ahead of schedule and within budget.
President Kenyatta spoke. He congratulated the graduates for completing a demanding six-month basic military training course.
The President also listed the Kenya Meat Commission’s rapid turnaround into a profitable business and the Kenya Shipyard Limited, which is on track to become the biggest shipyard in Sub-Saharan Africa, as some of the accomplishments of the KDF in support of the nation’s development plan.
The Uhuru Gardens National Monument and Museum were constructed by the KDF in 22 months as opposed to 10 years, and the Nairobi Metropolitan Services has improved people’s access to basic healthcare services (NMS).
President Kenyatta remarked, “You also did it for the nation when you led our coordinated response to the Covid-19 pandemic; and in times of national catastrophes and civic emergencies, your efforts saved lives and property.”
He expressed his gratitude for the KDF’s excellent management to Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Robert Kibochi, Service Commanders, and all senior military officers.
Modernization of KDF
The President emphasized the initiatives taken to modernize the KDF, stating that the Government has extensively invested in officer training, providing cutting-edge equipment, enhancing healthcare facilities, housing, remuneration, and the general terms and conditions of employment for the military.
The President stated, “We have undertaken the most significant and extensive modernization of our military in our nation’s history over the previous nine years, an acknowledgement of the importance of peace and security to the accomplishment of our development plan.
Uhuru Gardens
A Chinese contractor and military were granted the go-ahead to operate alongside other contractors on the job site when roads, a government museum, a shopping center, a business center, a hotel, and a conference center were being constructed in March.
Names of individuals, including former presidents and heroes, will be inscribed on a monument or in a section of the government museum called the Heroes’ Corner.
The Jomo Kenyatta Mausoleum, now housed in the Parliament building, is reportedly going to be relocated to the new Uhuru Gardens location.
Officials from Kenya’s National Museums have been assisting government organizations in moving important artifacts to the new location.