CHARLES KAHARIRI
| DATE OF BIRTH | April 3, 1965 |
| GENDER | Male |
| OCCUPATION | Military Officer |
Biography
Charles Kahariri is a Kenyan military chief who serves as the country’s Chief of the Defence Forces – CDF.
President William Ruto promoted Charles Kahariri to the rank of General and appointed the CDF, Kenya Defence Forces on the 02 May 2024 following General Francis Ogolla’s demise.
Prior to his current appointment, he served as the Vice Chief of the Defence Forces, Kenya Defence Forces from 09 March 2024.
Education
Gen Kahariri has completed numerous local and international courses to build his capacity and enhance his skills in the dispensation of Service duties.
Amongst these courses are the International Midshipman Course (UK), Long Navigation Course (India), Management and Strategic Planning Course.
In addition, he has completed the Naval Command Course (USA), Joint Campaign Planning and Flag Level Combined Maritime Component Command Course (Italy). and
Similarly, Kahariri has undertaken the Senior Strategic Leadership Course (UK) and Executive Development Course (University of N/Carolina, USA).
He also holds a Diploma in Strategic and Security Studies from the United States Naval War Collage.
Gen Kahariri is a laureate of various honours and awards with Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS) being his most recent accolade.
Career of Charles Kahariri
He enlisted in the Kenya Defence Forces on 03 Apr 1987 and was commissioned as an Officer (Second Lieutenant) on 15 April 1988.
Afterwards, he underwent further training in the United Kingdom before serving in various roles on board ships within the Kenya Navy Fleet.
Throughout his illustrious career spanning over three decades, Gen Kahariri has held a range of leadership, command and management positions.
Some of his leadership include Commanding Officer – Kenya Navy Ships Mamba, Madaraka, and Umoja, as well as Commanding Officer at Kenya Navy Manda Base.
Thereafter, he served in key appointments like Squadron Commander, Commander of the Kenya Navy Fleet, and Deputy Commander of the Kenya Navy.
Later, he transitioned to serve at the prestigious National Defence College as Senior Directing Staff (Navy), Deputy Commandant (Military) and Commandant.
Operations
Some of the significant operational assignments Kahariri has played a role in include serving as the Maritime Component Commander for “Operation Linda Nchi” and as the Task Force Commander for “Operation Sledge Hammer” during the capture of Kismaiyu.
Additionally, he has represented Kenya as the National Focal Person for the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia and the Djibouti Code of Conduct.
Likewise, he served on the National Task Forces for the Delimitation of Kenya’s Exclusive Economic Zones and Delimitation of Kenya’s Extended Continental Shelf.
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