Stop Talking About KDF Carelessly: Ruto To Kenyans, Media
President Ruto seemed to subtly respond to recent criticism aimed at KDF Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri regarding his comments on the presidency’s constitutionality.
Marvin Chege 
President William Ruto on Wednesday, April 16, warned Kenyans, including politicians and journalists, against casually talking about the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in their conversations, amidst scrutiny over recent remarks by top military officials and the state of their military equipment.
While addressing the Cadets Commissioning Parade at the Kenya Military Academy in Lanet, Nakuru, President Ruto seemed to subtly respond to recent criticism aimed at KDF Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri regarding his comments on the presidency’s constitutionality.
Ruto also appeared to push back against media reports raising alarm over the state of military helicopters and aircraft, and firmly stated that he would not tolerate the military being disrespected or subjected to public scrutiny and ridicule.
We must be sensitive and keep off matters military in random talk- President Ruto to Kenyans, politicians, journalists (media)#ViralVideos pic.twitter.com/9Rn1UYt4pL — Viral Tea Ke (@ViralTeaKe) April 16, 2025
"I want to urge all Kenyans, leaders, politicians, and journalists alike that our military men and women are the anchor for our stability. They are the insurance of our development, and therefore, we must be sensitive and keep off matters military in random talk," Ruto stated.
He went on to emphasise that he would defend the military, citing their crucial role in safeguarding Kenya’s territorial integrity.
Ruto added, "My administration and I, as the Commander in Chief, will defend, by all means possible, our military as they guarantee our stability and development."
CDF Kahariri's remarks drew controversy after he responded to the 'Ruto must go' chants that have been a common feature since the June-August 2024 Gen Z-led demonstrations. On Thursday, March 27, Kahariri urged Kenyans chanting 'Ruto Must Go' to ensure their actions align with the Constitution.
While speaking at the National Intelligence and Research University in Nairobi on Thursday, March 27, General Kahariri emphasised that the military would not be involved in any attempts to overthrow a legitimately elected government.
“We can’t have anarchy in the country, even as people exercise their rights, it should be within limits and within bounds, such that we cannot allow ourselves to exercise our rights to the extent of tearing apart the country,” said Kahariri.
He continued, “In the military, one of our core values is that we are apolitical, we don’t support any political side. We defend the constitution and the government of the day, duly elected by the people. So, when people decide they are tired of this government, yet they voted for it and say ‘must go’, it must be done according to the constitution.”
Moreover, intense scrutiny has emerged over a report from the probe into the KDF chopper crash that killed former CDF General Francis Ogolla and nine others. An engine malfunction was revealed to be the cause of the chopper crash in Elgeyo Marakwet County, but this turned out to be an expanded conversation on the age of military aircraft currently in operation.
Read more: Explained: Engine Malfunction That Made Former CDF Ogolla's Chopper Crash
In a report published on Wednesday, the Standard newspaper revealed that out of more than 130 aircraft acquired by the KDF over the years, only 27 are still functional, while the rest have been grounded due to crashes, maintenance challenges, or ageing beyond use.
''An audit of these aircraft reveals ageing machines plagued by frequent breakdowns, with a concerning misallocation of resources of the 19 aircraft available to the KAF, only seven are dedicated to security operations, while 12 are reserved for VVIPs, raising questions about priorities,'' the story read in part.
Chain Of KDF Aircraft & Chopper Crashes
The crash involving a military aircraft chopper added to the series of crashes that raised concerns regarding the safety of military hardware. This is a trend that stemmed from the government's decision to transfer the management of civilian-owned aircraft to the military in December 2020, leading to the establishment of the National Air Support Department (NASD) at Wilson Airport in Nairobi.
- On November 20, 2023, tragedy struck when KAF 1101, a Mi 171e helicopter delivered in 2011, crashed in Buna, Garissa during patrols for Operation Amani Boni.
- Another incident occurred on November 9, 2023, involving an AS 550 C3 Fennec delivered in 2018, designated for attack purposes, crashing in Ol Tepesi, Kajiado.
- Another accident involved a refurbished Bell UH-1M Huey 2 delivered in 2017, which crashed in Lamu county, and an AS 550 C3 Fennec delivered in 2018, which crashed in Chemolingot, West Pokot, on July 20, 2023, while accompanying Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.
According to the Aviation Safety Network, the Kenya Air Force has lost 12 aircraft since 2012, while the National Police Air Wing has lost 5, underscoring the need for a thorough review of the airworthiness of Kenya's state-owned aircraft.
