DAVID TARUS
| DATE OF BIRTH | July 31, 1968 |
| GENDER | Male |
| OCCUPATION | Commander Kenya Army |
Biography
David Tarus is the commander of the Kenya Army. He was born on 31 July 1968 in Uasin Gishu County.
Education
Tarus holds a Masters of Science (USA), Bachelors of Military Science from Egerton University and a Diploma in Strategic Studies and Diploma in International Relations from the University of Nairobi (UoN).
Lieutenant General Tarus in his military career spanning more than three decades has attended various courses relevant to the various appointments he has held.
Key among them include Junior Command Course at the Joint Warfare Centre and Grade Two Staff Course at Joint Command and Staff College.
Similarly, he has undertaken a course on Command General Staff Course at Leavenworth USA and Senior Command Course at Joint Warfare College.
At the same time, the lieutenant has completed a Grade One Staff Course at the National Defence College.
David Tarus Career
Tarus joined the then Kenya Armed Forces as an Officer Cadet on 11 May 1988 and Commissioned as an Officer on 11 August 1989.
Upon completing his Cadet training, he was posted to 75 Artillery Battalion as a Troop Commander and served in other various appointments in the same Unit.
Some of the roles he served include the Adjutant, Battery Commander and later on as the Battalion Second in Command.
Military Career and Appointments
Lieutenant Tarus has held several Command, Staff and Instructional related appointments in various Kenya Defence Forces establishments.
The General has served as an Instructor at Peace Support Training Centre, Joint Command and Staff College for Grade Three Staff Course and Senior Directing Staff at Joint Warfare Centre.
In Staff, he has served as Staff Officer at Headquarters Western and Eastern Commands, Headquarter Kenya Army and Defence Headquarters.
In addition, he was the Deputy Commander Artillery Brigade from 31 July 2015 – 28 July 2016 and later on Commander Artillery Brigade from 06 May 2019 – 30 December 2020.
Similarly, David was the Commandant Joint Warfare College from 31 December 2020 – 19 July 2022,
Afterwards, he served as General Officer Commanding Western Command from 20 July 2022 – 27 April 2023 and Deputy Army Commander from 28 April 2023 – 07 March 2024.
Thereafter, he was promoted to his current rank on 08 March 2024 and appointed Commander Kenya Army.
Peacekeeping Operations
David has served in United Nations Peacekeeping Missions in various parts of the world.
Some of the missions he has served include the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) and United Nations and African Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).
Honours and Awards
In recognition for his distinguished and exemplary service, President William Ruto has awarded him several medals, the highest being Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS).
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