Former President Mwai Kibaki with the then Chief of the General Staff General Jeremiah Mutinda Kianga ( Photo Courtesy)
He is no doubt one of the most astute and accomplished soldiers Kenya has ever produced. For 40 years, he wholeheartedly served his country in different capacities until he rose to the highest position of military ranks- that of a General.
General ( Rtd) Jeremiah Mutinda Kianga would later transition into the civil service where he is today the board chairman of the Kenya Railways. This makes him one of the few former men in uniform to be entrusted with such a powerful position in the President Uhuru Kenyatta Jubilee Government.
Former Chief of General Staff General Jeremiah Kianga ( Photo Courtesy)
When the then 21 year old joined the Kenya Defence Forces in 1971, little did he know that he would rise to the highest rank in the country's military. But after the initial training at the Royal Military College in Sandhurst, UK, the young soldier slowly by slowly started rising through the ranks.
He would later undertake further training in USA and India. At the end, he graduated with a Masters degree in Military Science from the University of Kansas, USA.
His rising star saw him promoted to the position of Deputy KenyaArmy Commander, the position he served until 2003.
He would later be promoted to full Kenya Army Commander in 2003, the position which he held until 2005 when he succeeded General Joseph Raymond Kibwana as the Chief of General Staff.
An undated photo of President Mwai Kibaki, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Chief of General Staff General Jeremiah Mutinda Kianga ( Photo Courtesy)
The new KDF chief led the military during the period of political turmoil in the country especially after the disputed 2007 presidential election. He took credit for ensuring that the military remained apolitical.
In 2011, after 40 of soldiering, General Kianga left the military with his head held high, convinced that he had served his country well.
Former Kenya Air Force Commander Major General Julius Karangi was picked as his successor.
He was immediately appointed as Kenya Railways chairman, the position he holds up to today.
At one point, it was rumoured that General ( Rtd) Kianga would join politics. Thid has never happened. Instead, he has always thrown his weight behind President Kenyatta. And on several occasions, he has clashed with former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka on various issues.
Today, the Former Kenya Army Commander has maintained an uncharacteristic low profile even as he enjoys the sunset years of his life, majority of which he spent as a soldier.