Waziri Mayai Wa Maradhi
Senior Member
- Jan 28, 2026
- 102
- 45
At the western base of Mount Kenya, where dawn breaks through mist and dew clings stubbornly to the land, stands one of the oldest military establishments in the republic.
First Battalion, The Kenya Rifles. Its colours are green, mirroring the forests that press in from all sides, and its history is heavy with names that shaped the nation's military story.
On 9 April 2026, the unit celebrates 62 years since its establishment.
Formed from the remnants of the 11th Kenya Rifles Battalion, which had mutinied in 1964, the battalion rebuilt itself into a formation that would produce some of Kenya's most gallant soldiers.
Among them were General Mohamud Mohamed, former Chief of General Staff, and Lieutenant-General Sumbeiywo, former Army Commander, men whose careers became intertwined with the republic itself.
General Tonje too would have been a member of this Battalion. Posted there by Ndolo after he returned from the UK, the then units white Adjutant was not fond of him and told him to return to his 11KR unit which soon mutinied.
Yet one exemplary act of the battalion remains largely undocumented: its role during the failed coup of 1 August 1982.
Just twenty-four hours before the coup, Major General Mohamud Mohamed, deputy army commander, had personally presented the Armed Forces Rifle Championship trophy to the battalion's rifle team. The marksmen were staying overnight at Kahawa Barracks before returning to their base in Nanyuki. Among their leaders was Warrant Officer I Kaptich.
When the coup began at midnight, the plotters seized the Voice of Kenya (VOK) broadcasting house and began transmitting at dawn. It was then that Major General Mohamed gave the order: the marksmen were to advance on VOK and take out anything moving in its vicinity.
The riflemen, still wearing their competition colours, still carrying the weapons that had won them the championship, deployed around the broadcasting house. From a distance, with the precision of men who had just been crowned the best marksmen in the armed forces, they systematically engaged coup operatives.
One by one, the plotters fell or fled.
By nine in the morning, VOK was clear. The coup attempt, so boldly announced at midnight, had been shattered before breakfast.
All retired personell of GREEN FIRE plan to attend.
Source: History By Barmoiben
First Battalion, The Kenya Rifles. Its colours are green, mirroring the forests that press in from all sides, and its history is heavy with names that shaped the nation's military story.
On 9 April 2026, the unit celebrates 62 years since its establishment.
Formed from the remnants of the 11th Kenya Rifles Battalion, which had mutinied in 1964, the battalion rebuilt itself into a formation that would produce some of Kenya's most gallant soldiers.
Among them were General Mohamud Mohamed, former Chief of General Staff, and Lieutenant-General Sumbeiywo, former Army Commander, men whose careers became intertwined with the republic itself.
General Tonje too would have been a member of this Battalion. Posted there by Ndolo after he returned from the UK, the then units white Adjutant was not fond of him and told him to return to his 11KR unit which soon mutinied.
Yet one exemplary act of the battalion remains largely undocumented: its role during the failed coup of 1 August 1982.
Just twenty-four hours before the coup, Major General Mohamud Mohamed, deputy army commander, had personally presented the Armed Forces Rifle Championship trophy to the battalion's rifle team. The marksmen were staying overnight at Kahawa Barracks before returning to their base in Nanyuki. Among their leaders was Warrant Officer I Kaptich.
When the coup began at midnight, the plotters seized the Voice of Kenya (VOK) broadcasting house and began transmitting at dawn. It was then that Major General Mohamed gave the order: the marksmen were to advance on VOK and take out anything moving in its vicinity.
The riflemen, still wearing their competition colours, still carrying the weapons that had won them the championship, deployed around the broadcasting house. From a distance, with the precision of men who had just been crowned the best marksmen in the armed forces, they systematically engaged coup operatives.
One by one, the plotters fell or fled.
By nine in the morning, VOK was clear. The coup attempt, so boldly announced at midnight, had been shattered before breakfast.
All retired personell of GREEN FIRE plan to attend.
Source: History By Barmoiben
