The foundation of the modern-day Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) was laid on 12th December 1964.
On this day, President Jomo Kenyatta commissioned Colonel Joseph Musyimi Lele Ndolo, the first Kenyan military chief.
Also in the gazette notice were Lt. Col Jackson Kimeu Mulinge, Captain Daudi Rerimoi Chepkonga Tonje, both of who later commanded the Military.
Colonel Ndolo was later disgraced and forced to resign after his role in a planned military uprising against Kenyatta. He was forced to resign alongside Chief Justice Maluki Kitili Mwendwa.
Other notable names in the list include Major Marsden Madoka, a one-time internal security minister. Former Army Commander James Lengees and Aden Abdullahi were also on the 1964 list as Captains. The list reaffirms the widely held view of order and perfection in the Kenya Military.
