ELDORET, Kenya — President William Ruto has urged newly graduated Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel to honour the sacrifices of servicemen and veterans who laid the foundation of the military while preparing the institution to confront emerging security challenges.
Speaking on Thursday during the KDF pass-out parade at the Recruits Training School in Eldoret, Ruto told the recruits that joining the military came with the responsibility of preserving the values established by previous generations while embracing new technologies and capabilities.
The President said the KDF had been built through the courage, discipline and dedication of generations of servicemen and women who served the country before them.
“You inherit an institution built by servicemen and veterans whose courage laid its foundation,” Ruto said.
He challenged the recruits to view honouring military veterans as more than simply preserving established traditions and structures, urging them to prepare the KDF for a rapidly changing security environment.
“Honor them not only by preserving what they built, but also by preparing for a world they could not have imagined,” he said.
More than 5,000 recruits graduate
More than 5,000 recruits graduated after completing nine months of intensive military training.
President Ruto urged the new personnel to approach their careers with discipline, curiosity and a commitment to continuous learning as they take up assignments across the KDF.
He said the nature of national security was changing rapidly, requiring military personnel to develop new skills while maintaining the discipline and professionalism expected of the armed forces.
The President assured the recruits and their families that the government would continue investing in the welfare, training and operational readiness of the KDF.
“The Government will keep investing in the welfare, the training, and the readiness of KDF,” Ruto said.
He said particular attention would be given to strengthening specialised capabilities in areas such as cybersecurity, intelligence, maritime security and military medicine.
Recruits urged to uphold Constitution
The President also reminded the newly graduated personnel that military service involved significant responsibility and required sound judgment when exercising authority.
He urged them to understand the distinction between lawful authority and abuse of power and to ensure their actions remain guided by the Constitution and the law.
“Your service must now teach you to exercise judgment under pressure, to lead human beings and to know the difference between lawful authority and abuse,” he said.
The recruits will undertake different roles within the KDF, with some expected to serve in protecting Kenya’s borders, airspace and territorial waters.
Others will pursue specialised careers in fields including engineering, medicine and technical services, depending on their training and deployment.
‘Defend our sovereignty’
Ruto said the ultimate purpose of national defence extends beyond preventing armed conflict, arguing that the military plays a broader role in safeguarding the conditions necessary for Kenyans to live in peace and freedom.
“The purpose of national defence is not merely the absence of war. It is the presence of peace, the presence of freedom, and the presence of stability,” he said.
He challenged the recruits to remain committed to serving the country and protecting the interests of future generations.
The President urged them to make the Constitution the foundation of their service while defending Kenya’s sovereignty and protecting citizens.
“Let the Constitution be your compass. Defend our sovereignty. Protect our people. Secure Kenya’s future,” Ruto said.
The graduation marks the recruits’ transition from intensive basic military training into active service within the KDF, where they will join an institution undergoing continued modernisation to respond to evolving national, regional and global security threats.
