Kenya Army Commander Lieutenant General David Ketter held his first baraza with personnel based at Ngao Gardens in Nairobi. The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Commander expressed appreciation for the progress of the recently launched Pay-As-You-Eat (PAYE) programme since its launch on July 1, 2025.
He reiterated that the KDF recognises the vital link between the well-being of its service personnel and operational effectiveness.
Accordingly, it prioritises personnel welfare as essential for operational readiness and institutional integrity.
“As you know, the meal allowance is the same across all ranks, Officers and Service Personnel. The PAYE programme puts you at the centre of decision-making about meals that suit your preferences. We understand that in today’s world, individual food choices are highly personal and influenced by many factors,” Lt Gen Ketter said.
Lieutenant General Ketter reaffirmed that the KDF will not deduct lunch allowances from soldiers’ payslips.
He also dismissed claims that the allowances would be paid through the Defence Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (DESACCO), calling the reports “false and reckless”.
He reminded personnel to take advantage of the mobile app created specifically for booking and paying for their meals.
Improving KDF Camp Cafeterias
The Commander assured soldiers that conditions in existing camp cafeterias would be continuously enhanced to enable smooth walk-in and walk-out access.
“A supportive culture shall continually inform KDF policies and decision-making processes to ensure your needs are sufficiently met, allowing you to concentrate solely on your primary duty; defence and protection of Kenya’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.
Also Read: How to Join KDF Military Police: Requirements, Process and Salary
Message to Personnel
The baraza allowed him to connect directly with staff, sharing his command philosophy and emphasising the importance of discipline and integrity as the foundation of the Service’s success.
Furthermore, Lieutenant General Ketter appreciated the service personnel for their resilience and dedication in discharging their duties.
He urged soldiers to embody discipline by staying prepared and executing tasks professionally, and to demonstrate integrity by being honest, taking responsibility for their actions and supporting one another.
He noted that the Army remains committed to a soldier-centric approach to enhance mission readiness.
‘This will be achieved through championing adaptive leadership, efficient resource utilisation, and the ability to generate decisive outcomes in operational environments,” he added.
Also Read: Commanders and Generals Send Messages to Newly Promoted KDF Officers
Govt Removes KDF Lunch Subsidy
The Ministry of Defence has abolished the state-funded meal programme in KDF barracks.
This means that military personnel in peacetime barracks will now cover the cost of their lunches.
The Ministry stated that the move aims to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and offer soldiers more food options.
However, the change applies only to soldiers in non-operational, peacetime locations.
Soldiers on active duty or in training will continue to receive government-provided meals under existing scales.
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