President William Ruto told the new Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) that they need to adapt to the new battlefield conditions.
Speaking on Thursday, August 13, during a passing-out parade, he listed qualities of the future soldier as the country looks past Vision 2030.
He added that the soldiers must possess both physical and intellectual traits that will help them in carrying out their mandate.
"Tomorrow’s KDF must be as strong in knowledge as it is in courage, as fluent in technology as it is in tactics, as prepared to anticipate danger as it is to answer it.
"The future soldier must not only be fit, disciplined, and tactically sound, but also technologically literate, intellectually curious, and constitutionally grounded, he stated.
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Ruto explained that under the current times, KDF soldiers face modern threats from adversaries including attacks on the country's digital systems and critical infrastructure.
"An attack may target a server instead of a border post. A drone may fly without a pilot. Artificial intelligence may disrupt systems, distort information, and erode public trust. Can a country call itself secure if its frontiers are guarded but digital systems, food supply, and critical infrastructure stand exposed?" he posed.
The Commander-in-Chief reiterated that KDF must not simply defend the country as it is, but also secure the country it intends to become.
Meanwhile, he also reminded them of their mandate as enshrined in the Constitution: to defend Kenya's sovereignty and territorial integrity; support other authorities in emergencies and disasters; and, with the approval of the National Assembly, restore peace where instability threatens the citizens.
Ruto insisted that every one of these responsibilities must be exercised under the Constitution and within the law.
He told the graduates that the service must now teach them to exercise judgement under pressure, to lead human beings, and to know the difference between lawful authority and abuse.
The Head of State confirmed that his Government will keep investing in the welfare, the training, nd the readiness of KDF, including by strengthening capabilities in cybersecurity, intelligence, maritime security, and military medicine.
He also promised to ensure that those who serve, and the families who stand behind them, receive the dignity and the recognition they have earned.
