Charles Kahariri, the Chief of the Defence Forces of the Kenya Defence Forces, has been awarded France’s highest national distinction, the Legion of Honour, in recognition of his leadership and contribution to strengthening defence cooperation between Kenya and France.
The prestigious decoration was conferred during a ceremony held on board the French amphibious assault ship Dixmude (L9015), where senior military and diplomatic officials from both countries gathered to mark the occasion.
The Legion of Honour, formally known as the Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur, was established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte and remains the highest French order of merit.
It is awarded for exceptional military or civilian service and is granted by decree of the President of the France.
According to officials, the honour recognises General Kahariri’s role in deepening defence ties between Kenya and France, particularly in areas such as regional security cooperation, joint training programmes and maritime security initiatives.
Also recognised during the ceremony was Joyce Sitienei, a Major General in the Kenya Defence Forces and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the Centre for Strategic and Security Studies at the National Defence University-Kenya.
She received the National Defence Medal (France) at the Gold Level.
The medal, created in 1982, honours individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and professional achievement within defence institutions.
Sitienei was recognised for her contributions to international peace support training, defence partnerships and security cooperation programmes involving France and allied forces.
Speaking during the ceremony, the French Ambassador to Kenya Arnaud Suquet commended the leadership of the Kenya Defence Forces for their continued commitment to regional security and for strengthening the long-standing military partnership between the two countries.
The awards highlight the deepening defence collaboration between Kenya and France, which includes maritime security cooperation, joint military exercises and initiatives aimed at addressing shared regional security challenges in the Horn of Africa and the wider Indian Ocean region.
Among those present at the ceremony were the German Ambassador to Kenya Sebastian Groth, the Commander of the Kenya Navy Paul Otieno, as well as senior officers from both the Kenyan and French armed forces.
Leadership of the Military Wives Association of Kenya, led by chairlady Grace Kahariri, also attended the ceremony.
The recognition underscores the growing strategic partnership between the two nations and their shared commitment to promoting peace, stability and security across the region.
