Breaking Barriers: Lt. Col. Mwagandi Paves the Way as KDF’s First Female Guard of Honour Leader

NAIROBI, Kenya – A seismic shift happened in Kenya on Sunday when Lt. Colonel Faith Mwagandi stepped into the spotlight as the trailblazer—Van Gogh with a paintbrush of valor—becoming the pioneer woman to craft a Guard of Honour for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) at a prominent national celebration.

Commanding the troops during the 61st Mashujaa Day gala in Kwale, lodged on Kenya’s sunlit southern coast, the KDF recognized this seminal achievement, underscoring an epoch-making stride within their ranks.

KDF noted, “In today’s Mashujaa Day 2024 festivity, a standout spectacle will seize the crowd—the Guard of Honour (GoH) directed by Lieutenant Colonel Faith Mwagandi, etching an unwavering moment as she becomes the inaugural female senior officer to guide a GoH at such an event.”

The military domain of KDF was once a fortress where men dominated the helm of operations and formations, but over the past 20 years or so, an evolution in gender equity has taken the wheel. Women have been ascending the ladders in the army, navy, and air force battalions.

Speaking to the throng of Kenyans gathered in Kwale, President William Ruto warmly praised the accomplishments of the Kenya Navy officer who was at his side during the inspection of the Guard of Honour formed by the Kenya Defence Forces.

Ruto stated, “Kenya continues to carve niches for women to flourish across various spheres, including the military. Today, we are witnesses to Lt. Col. Faith Mwagandi making history as she helmed the Guard of Honour.”

In a land often defined by patriarchal norms akin to other African societies, women frequently face an uphill battle in scaling the heights of public service and politics. For instance, from 47 governors across the nation, just seven wield the baton as female county leaders.

However, the philosophy of gender inclusion within the military found its footing with the revered Tonje rules, devised by the former Chief of Defence Forces, Daudi Tonje, who dismantled the Female Service Corps, threading women into the main weave.

Looking back, Maj. General Fatuma Ahmed made history as the premier female officer to attain the stripes of Brigadier and Major General. Not long ago, she shattered another glass ceiling by becoming the initial woman to command a KDF Service, taking the reins as Chief of the Kenya Air Force.

AXADLETM