The President holds the prestigious title of Commander-In-Chief (CIC) of the armed forces, a constitutional role tasked with safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Since independence in 1963, five leaders have assumed this mantle, each leaving a unique imprint on the military. The current CIC, President William Ruto, took office on September 13, 2022, following in the footsteps of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta (1964–1978), Daniel arap Moi (1978–2002), Mwai Kibaki (2002–2013), and Uhuru Kenyatta (2013–2022).