Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Gen Charles Kahariri paid a courtesy visit to General (Rtd) Mohamud Haji Mohamed on Tuesday 20th May 2025, at his residence in Nairobi.
The visit highlights a tradition of honouring military veterans in Kenya’s diverse heritage within its military history.
Gen Mohamud was honoured for his long tenure post the 1982 aborted coup, which was marked with courage, loyalty and exemplary leadership.
Gen Kahariri thanked General Mohamud for his loyalty during his tenure as the 4th Chief of the General Staff from 1986 to 1996, describing him as a mentor and an inspiration.
“Your service has been exemplary and meritorious. You laid a foundation that continues to guide us,” he remarked.
Also Read: Is Ruto Safe in a Crowd? Security Expert Scans VIP Protection Checklist
Gen (Rtd) Mohamud, in response, expressed pride in the progress made by the KDF, urging current members to tackle every security challenge with unwavering loyalty and commitment to Kenyans.
Gen Kahariri was accompanied by senior KDF officers, including Assistant CDF Major General Fred Leuria, Director of Military Intelligence Major General Abdulkadir Burje, and Principal Imam Colonel Abdulmaliq Rubeya.
Gen (Rtd) Mohamud Haji Mohamed was born into an ethnic Somali community in Northeastern Kenya.
He began his career in 1955, rising steadily through the ranks over three decades.
A soldier with modest education, he started his career as a private in the infantry battalion; the army’s lowest rank and rose through the ranks to head the military as the Chief of General Staff. No other man has achieved such a feat in the history of Kenya’s military.
General (Rtd) Mahmoud Mohammed is remembered to have led an operation in his tenure as Deputy Army Commander, which crushed the 1982 coup attempt. This changed the course of Kenya’s history.
Also Read:Ruto Orders KDF to Build Hospital in Narok
On August 1, 1982, a group of low-ranking Kenya Air Force officers, led by Senior Private Hezekiah Ochuka, attempted to overthrow President Daniel Arap Moi’s government. The coup briefly seized control of key installations in Nairobi, including the Voice of Kenya radio station.
As a senior military commander at the time, Mohamud was instrumental in coordinating the response. He assembled a team from the First Kenya Rifles Battalion, alongside other loyal forces, to reclaim Nairobi and suppress the rebellion.
The General recaptured the Voice of Kenya, the National Broadcaster from rebel soldiers suffocating the coup plotters.
His decisive actions ensured the coup’s failure within hours, a turning point that preserved Moi’s presidency.
Mohamud’s leadership during this crisis solidified his reputation, paving the way for his appointment as Chief of General Staff four years later.
As the KDF continues to build on the foundations laid by heroes like Gen Mohamud, this visit serves as both a tribute to the past and a call to action for a future where honor, accountability, and service remain at the heart of Kenya’s defense.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
