Women in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) are steadily climbing the ranks, and one name is starting to stand out—Colonel Christine Kuria.
Currently the highest-ranking female officer in the Kenya Navy, Colonel Kuria is blazing a trail in a field that has traditionally been male-dominated.
Her rise comes at a time when the KDF is witnessing a shift in gender dynamics. The appointment of Major General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed as the first female Commander of the Kenya Air Force marked a major milestone.
Many now believe that more women are on track to take up top leadership positions within the military ranks—and Colonel Kuria is considered one of the key figures to watch.
In 2021, she was tasked with overseeing KDF recruitment in Malindi, a major responsibility within the force.
Today, she serves as Kenya’s military attaché at the embassy in Pretoria, South Africa—another strategic posting that signals growing trust in her leadership and experience.
If her career trajectory holds, Colonel Kuria could go on to become the first female Commander of the Kenya Navy, a historic achievement that would inspire many young women aspiring to serve their country in uniform.
