Kdf Succession: Charles Kahariri to Replace Francis Ogolla in an Acting Capacity

• The Defence Council, comprising the Defence CS, PS, CDF and three commanders of Kenya Defence Forces, advises the president on the appointment of a substantive CDF
• General Francis Ogolla's death marks the first time a Chief of Defence Forces died while in office
• His death leaves his deputy CDF Lieutenant General Charles Kahariri with all the CDF powers in an acting capacity
• Former military general during former president Daniel Moi's tenure said Ogolla's death did not leave a vacuum as his deputy would serve as CDF in an acting capacity

Vice Chief of Defence Forces Lieutenant General Charles Kahariri will be the acting Chief of Defence Forces following General Francis Ogolla's death.

Francis Ogolla succession

Ogolla and nine other Kenya Defence Forces officers died in a helicopter crash on Thursday, April 18, during a visit to troops deployed to implement the Maliza Uhalifu operation to flush out livestock bandits.

Ogolla's death opened up discussions on who would succeed him. Kenyans argued which KDF branch would produce Ogolla's successor based on a formula from former Chief of Staff of Kenya Armed Forces Daudi Tonje.

Tonje, who served as the armed forces General between 1996 and 2000, introduced a rotational appointment of military generals.

Did Francis Ogolla's death create a vacuum in military command?

Ogolla is the first Chief of Defence Forces who died while still serving, creating a near vacuum in the military command of the country.

However, Tonje said that the military never has a vacuum, and Ogolla's vice, Kahariri, automatically assumed the CDF office after Ogolla's death.

Addressing the press in his Kitale, Trans Nzoia home on Friday, April 19, Tonje said Kahariri would serve in the capacity that Ogolla served until the president appointed another substantive CDF.

"The vice chief of defence forces will take over in an acting capacity until when the president announces a substantive general in accordance with the law," said Tonje.

His sentiments corroborate with other military officers' assurance that Kahariri began acting as the CDF immediately after Ogolla's death.