The military is not your village 'council of elders' where you get to choose who heads it by votes or public opinion. I will put it in the words of The Standard newspaper (July 14th, Headline and Page 8), which the Daily Nation (July 14th, Headline and Page 4) and The People (July 14th, Headline and Page 4) seem to concur with: 'Unlike in previous years, where loyalty to the President was the main factor behind promotions and appointments in the military, yesterday's appointments were in line with the rules initiated by Gen (Rtd) Daudi Tonje, giving emphasis to experience, seniority and academic qualifications' The key words here are: 1) Experience - Vice Chief of the general Staff since August 2006 (6 years) 2) Longevity - Has served in the military since 1973 3) Merit - Trained in Kenya, United kingdom, United States and India Points to note: 1) President Kibaki appointed General Karangi following recommendations by the Defense Council composed of: a) Defense Minister Yusuf Haji b) The Chief of the Defense Force c) Permanent Secretary Nancy Kirui d) Three (3) service commanders from the Army, Airforce and Navy After meeting at Ulinzi House they forwarded the list to Kibaki for appointment. Kibaki took no part in the process as you would have us believe. 2) The military follows a Chain of Command unlike you and I who are mere undisciplined civilians who would want to lead whatever group or organization without considering the traditions of patience and hard work. The military appoints its leaders after considering a soldiers 'rank'. I've used the word 'soldier' to make it clear that Gen. Karangi is not a civilian nor is he a politician but a soldier. This is a man of war who ranked the highest after the outgoing Gen Kianga. This is not a case of those 'civil society' claimed biased appointments. It followed Military protocol to the letter. You do not move a soldier who was saluting a superior officer to a position where the superior officer has to salute this 'diaper toting' junior officer. It cannot happen and will never happen. It won't happen even in your dreams. When you become a soldier, you will salute your superior until he retires or he dies. You will never surpass him. There is no system that can compare in fairness. 3) The whole tribal angle is simply wrong. It is biased and baseless. There has never been any other Military Chief from Central. Do your homework. None. If you're not biased you'll have to appreciate that eventually there had to be a Kikuyu appointed to the position. List all previous Military Chiefs. None hailed from central. 4) Why is no one speaking of: a) Lt. Gen. Simon Mwathethe - hails from coast (not Kikuyu for those who don't get it) b) Lt. Gen. John Kasaon - hsils from Rift-Valley c) Maj-Gen. Joff Otieno - hails from Nyanza d) Mukala - Western e) Tangai - Rift-Valley f) Kameru - Eastern 5) Someone raised your issue elsewhere and the simple answer he was given was that no one complained when Barasa, Tobiko and Mutunga were appointed. Is anyone of them a Kikuyu? Aren't Luhyas the second largest ethnic group in Kenya? Why don't you say it was unfair to the minority tribes to appoint Barasa.

I NEVER knew this.

Wow! I couldn't help but click to view the profile...and it states "HON JAMES NJENGA KARUME, EGH., M.P., MINISTER OF STATE FOR DEFENCE . . . 14th December, 2006- to date Minister of State for Defence " Shame shame!!!!

@niclasclause, please don't shoot me. Is http://www.mod.go.ke NOT THE OFFICIAL Ministry of Defence website? If it is, where is the "mere propaganda and lies"?

I wonder how KenGen is a critical arm of the gov't....