In October 2022, Colonel Fabian Lengusuranga of the Kenya Army assumed the role of Aide-De-Camp (ADC) to President William Ruto. But beyond the announcement, his green beret captured public attention. It was the first time in several years that the ADC was a green beret.
Unlike many ADCs before him, whose attire reflected conventional army units, Lengusuranga’s headgear pointed to a background in Kenya’s special operations forces.
In the Kenya Army, the green beret is closely associated with specialized combat formations trained for demanding missions.
These units are prepared for airborne insertions, reconnaissance assignments, counter-insurgency campaigns, commando-style raids, and operations conducted deep within hostile territory.
They fall under a specialized command headquartered in Gilgil, Nakuru County, bringing together the 20th Parachute Battalion, the 30th Special Forces, and the 40th Rangers Strike Force.
Green Beret: Its History and What It Means in the Kenyan Military
Although officially established on March 17, 1983, its foundations were laid soon after independence.
They are most visible to the public during national pass-out parades. Within the ranks of the army, however, they are simply referred to as the “Green Berets” or the “Paras.”
Their mission is “to execute airborne operations in order to counter both external and internal threats.”
In October 1964, 40 Kenyan officers travelled to Britain for basic parachute training. Additional cohorts were formed, enabling the establishment of the 1st Independent Parachute Company in April 1965, with roughly 200 trained paratroopers.
According to Africa Defence Journal, the “Paras” were notably deployed during the failed 1982 coup attempt against the late President Daniel Moi, orchestrated by Non-Commissioned Officers of the Kenya Air Force (KAF).
It was the Paras commandos, alongside the Presidential Escort Regiment of the GSU’s Recce Company, who ensured President Moi’s safe return to Nairobi from the Rift Valley. The next notable moment came during Kenya’s second democratic transition, when President Mwai Kibaki appointed an officer from the Paras as his first Aide-De-Camp.
Major Daniel Opande served as commander of the 20 Paratroop Battalion from 1970 to 1972, followed by Major Marsden Madoka in 1972.
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Operations and Military Training
Nicknamed “20 Paras,” the battalion is configured for complex, high-intensity engagements.
Training within the battalion is organized into specialized wings covering parachuting, tactical operations, and weapons proficiency.
The 20th Paratrooper Commandos are modelled closely on the renowned British Special Air Service (SAS), with training manuals and methods largely mirroring those of their UK counterparts.
Their training often involves joint exercises with elite units such as the British SAS, Israel’s Sayaret Matkal, and the U.S. Army Rangers.
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Africa Defence Journal notes that a key aspect of this preparation is learning to “think like terrorists or would-be assassins,” a demanding and transformative process that every trainee must undergo before earning the Para designation.
Historically, the unit has featured prominently in several security operations.
These include the Shifta campaign in Northeastern Province from 1965 to 1968, the Ngoroko operations in Turkana and West Pokot from 1984 to 1990, and Operation Good Hope in Moyale in 2004, which sought to neutralise elements of the Oromo Liberation Front.
Its Green Eagles free-fall display team has become a familiar highlight at Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) exhibitions, showcasing precision and discipline in the air.
Complementing the 20th Parachute Battalion are the newer 30th Special Forces and 40th Rangers Strike Force.
These formations focus primarily on specialized missions suited to low-intensity and asymmetric conflict environments, reinforcing Kenya’s broader special operations capability.
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