The Commandant of the Kenya Military Academy (KMA), Major General Aphaxard Muthuri Kiugu, has officially retired after reaching the mandatory retirement age for military personnel. According to military regulations, a General must retire at 62, a Lieutenant-General at 61, a Major-General at 59, and a Brigadier at 57 years. However, there is a provision that allows for adjustments to the maximum retirement age through legislation based on recommendations from the Defence Council.
Maj Gen Kiugu was recognized as a pivotal figure capable of guiding the military service into the next generation. On Wednesday, KMA held a vibrant handover-takeover ceremony at its headquarters in Lanet, Nakuru County, where Maj Gen Kiugu passed the leadership to Brigadier Peter Muthama Kimondiu, the Academy’s Chief Instructor.
Expressing gratitude for his years of service, Maj Gen Kiugu encouraged cadets to stay committed to their training, highlighting the importance of exemplary service and sacrifice in defending Kenya. “As I exit this service, I am satisfied with my accomplishments, having upheld the Kaizen philosophy as my guide. I urge everyone to embrace the spirit of continuous improvement,” he stated.
Brig. Kimondiu praised Maj. Gen. Kiugu for his dedicated military career and wished him success in his future endeavors. Major General William Shume, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research, Innovation, and Security Studies, also commended Maj. Gen. Kiugu for his invaluable leadership and the high quality of training evident at the Academy.
Maj Gen Kiugu enlisted in the Kenya Defence Forces in 1988 and was commissioned in 1989 after completing the Officer Basic Course at the then Armed Forces Training College (AFTC), now known as the Kenya Military Academy (KMA). He rose to the rank of Major General in 2021 and was appointed as the Assistant Chief of Defence Forces (Personnel and Logistics) before being deployed as the Force Commander of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) and later appointed Commandant of KMA.
His extensive military experience includes various command and staff appointments within the Kenya Defence Forces, both locally and internationally.
Chief of Logistic DHQ, Comd Armd Bde, Chief of Ops DHQ, Col Budget, Commanding Officer 78 Tk Bn, SOII Ops and Trg, SOII Recs, Senior Instructor Tac Wing Sch of Arm, SQN Comd 81 Tk Bn, Instructor College HQs AFTC, SOII Pers Armoured Bde and Instructor Missile Technical Wing Sch of Arm.
He also served with the United Nations.
These deployments were in peacetime and active operations.
His strategic leadership and extensive experience greatly impacted the ranks under his command, leaving behind a legacy of high military standards, discipline, and professionalism, the military said.
