President William Ruto presided over the Cadet Commissioning Parade at the Kenya Military Academy in Lanet on Friday.
After the commissioning ceremony, the President offered words of encouragement to the new cadets and expressed his commitment to praying for their success.
Ruto invoked God's blessings on the careers of the newly commissioned military officers, asking for divine protection and courage in their service to the country.
"I'm going to pray for you. Tuombe," the President said, inviting the cadets to join him in prayer.
The newly commissioned officers removed their peaked caps and bowed their heads as Ruto led the prayer.
"Heavenly Father, we have these young men in front of us today we are communing to be military officers in our republic. I pray over them that Heavenly Father, in their careers you will go ahead of them, protect them and every step that they do, give them the courage to stabilize and secure our country," Ruto prayed.
The commissioned cadets have undergone rigorous training, encompassing intellectual and character development, to prepare them for leadership roles in the military.
The President, also serving as the Commander-in-Chief, commended the cadets for their perseverance through rigorous training, challenging assessments, and demanding exercises leading up to their commissioning.
He urged them to recognise their responsibilities as future leaders of the KDF (Kenya Defence Forces) and to proactively devise innovative strategies to effectively counter emerging threats.
"Today marks not just your graduation, but the acceptance of a sacred duty to lead, command, and manage KDF personnel and resources with integrity, even amidst the most trying circumstances," stated Ruto.
"In our interconnected world, with its diverse and dynamic security challenges, a strategic mindset is indispensable, one that can continuously mitigate risks through forward-thinking and creative approaches."
The newly commissioned General Service Officer (GSO) officers have completed their Bachelor’s Degree in Military Science, while specialist cadets have completed specialised professional courses.
In addition to Kenyan cadets, allied cadets from Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda also underwent training alongside the KDF.
