The commander, Kenya Army is the chief and highest-ranking officer of the Kenya Army The current commander is Lieutenant General David Kimaiyo Tarus.

List of officeholders

No.PortraitName (born–died)Term of officeRef.
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
1Major General Ian Freeland (1912–1979)12 December 196330 April 1964140 days
2Brigadier A. J. Hardy1 May 196430 November 19662 years, 213 days
3Brigadier Joseph Musyimi Lele Ndolo1 December 196631 May 19692 years, 181 days
4Major General Jackson Kimeu Mulinge (1924–2014)1 June 196922 November 19789 years, 144 days
5Major General Joseph Kathuka Nzioka1 December 197812 December 19791 year, 11 days
6Major General John Malan Sawe13 December 19792 January 19811 year, 20 days
7Major General Mohamud Haji Barrow Mohammed3 January 198114 December 1981345 days
8Lieutenant General John Malan Sawe15 December 198127 February 19864 years, 74 days
9Lieutenant General James Lelasian Lengees28 February 198630 November 19937 years, 275 days
10Lieutenant General Daudi Rerimoi Chepkonga Tonje1 December 199322 June 1994203 days
11Lieutenant General Augustine K. Cheruiyot28 June 19947 June 19983 years, 344 days
12Lieutenant General Adan Abdullahi9 June 199830 November 20002 years, 174 days
13Lieutenant General Lazarus Kipkurui Sumbeiywo1 December 200028 February 20032 years, 89 days
14Lieutenant General Jeremiah Mutinda Kianga EGH, CBS, ndc (K), cgsc (USA)1 March 200310 August 20052 years, 162 days
15Lieutenant General Augostino Stephen Karanu Njoroge MGH, CBS, ndc (K), psc10 August 20055 December 20083 years, 117 days
16Lieutenant General Jackson Kiprono Tuwei5 December 200830 November 20101 year, 360 days
17Lieutenant General Njuki Mwaniki MGH, CBS, OGW, ndc (K), psc30 November 201013 July 2011225 days
18Lieutenant General Joseph Kiptoo Kasaon MGH, CBS, DCO, ndc (K), psc, cgsc (USA) (born 1958)13 July 201117 April 20153 years, 278 days
19Lieutenant General Leonard Muriuki Ngondi MGH, CBS, OGW, ndc (K), psc (born 1959)17 April 201522 September 20161 year, 158 days
20Lieutenant General Robert Kariuki Kibochi EGH, CBS, ndc (K), psc (born 1959)22 September 201613 July 20181 year, 294 days
21Lieutenant General Walter Koipaton Raria MGH, CBS, OGW, ndc (K), psc13 July 201820 July 20224 years, 7 days
22Lieutenant General Peter Mbogo Njiru MGH, CBS rcds (UK) psc (K)20 July 20228 March 20241 year, 232 days
23Lieutenant General David Kimaiyo Chemwaina Tarus CBS ndc (K) cgsc (USA) psc (K)9 March 2024Incumbent2 years, 40 days
  • . ka.mod.go.ke. Ministry of Defence – Kenya.
  • Ombati, Cyrus (30 November 2010). . standardmedia.co.ke. The Standard.
  • Sarles, Harry (25 April 2013). . army.mil. US Army.
  • PSCU (22 September 2016). . capitalfm.co.ke. Capital News.
  • Munda, Cliff (September 2018). . Nairobi: Hivisasa.com.
  • Momanyi, Bernard (14 July 2011). . capitalfm.co.ke. Capital News.
  • Kenya Yearbook 2010, pp430