Senior Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) leaders have received French national decorations in recognition of their service and contribution to defence and security cooperation between Kenya and France.
During a ceremony held on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at the Residence of France in Nairobi, French Ambassador to Kenya Wadid Benaabou conferred the Legion of Honour on Lieutenant General John Omenda and Lieutenant Colonel Michael Gense.
Lieutenant General David K. C. Tarus, Vice-Chancellor of the National Defence University-Kenya (NDU-K), received the National Order of Merit in recognition of his service and contribution to defence cooperation.
The decorations were presented on the sidelines of a seminar bringing together French Defence Attachés serving in East Africa, military authorities and representatives of the KDF.
The occasion also provided a platform to recognise the individual service of the three officers and highlight defence relations between Kenya and France.
The Legion of Honour is France’s highest national order of merit and recognises exceptional military and civilian service. The National Order of Merit recognises distinguished service and achievement.
The conferment of the decorations reflects the professional ties between Kenya and France and their respective defence institutions, according to the press release.
Kenya and France maintain defence relations covering professional military engagement, training, capacity building, knowledge exchange and cooperation in areas of mutual security interest.
The engagements are aimed at strengthening institutional capabilities and supporting efforts towards regional and international peace and security.
The ceremony also reaffirmed the partnership between the KDF and the French Armed Forces, as well as the importance placed by both countries on sustained defence diplomacy and professional military cooperation.
