Today in History: How General Opande Missed the Chance to Become Kenya’s Chief of Defence Forces
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Retired General Daniel Opande is one of Kenya’s most respected military officers, renowned not only in Kenya but beyond the African continent for his tireless work in peacekeeping.
From Namibia to Mozambique, and from Sierra Leone to Liberia, he played a key role during some of the continent’s darkest periods of conflict, earning a reputation as one of Africa’s most successful military champions of peace.
Unlike many military leaders, Opande is celebrated for his ability to resolve conflicts through diplomacy rather than force.
Throughout his missions, he rarely, if ever, fired a shot. Instead, his selflessness, strategic thinking, and diplomatic skills helped achieve lasting peace in several war-torn countries.
General Daudi Tonje Recommends Opande as Chief of Staff General
His exceptional record led the United Nations to call on him repeatedly to restore stability in areas experiencing unrest.
In his book In Pursuit of Peace in Africa, General Opande reveals how he came close to becoming Kenya’s Chief of General Staff (today called Chief of Defence Forces). On May 1, 1998, he was appointed Vice Chief of General Staff (VCGS), the second-highest military post in the country, and served as the senior adviser to General Daudi Tonje, then Chief of General Staff. As VCGS, Opande coordinated operations, logistics, and staff work at Defence Headquarters, acting as the key link between the headquarters and the military services.
Despite his qualifications, Opande’s path to the top was redirected when the United Nations requested his service as Force Commander of UNAMSIL in Sierra Leone in 2000. UN Secretary-General at the time, Kofi Annan, personally contacted him for the appointment, citing his extensive peacekeeping experience in Namibia, Mozambique, and Liberia. While honored by the request, Opande had to wait for Kenya’s approval for the secondment.
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General Tonje, who was preparing to retire, had intended to recommend Opande as his successor. However, the timing of the UN appointment and government decisions ultimately meant he never assumed the role of Chief of General Staff.
“A few days later, my immediate boss, General Tonje, informed me that the UN Secretary General had written to the President through a note verbale requesting my appointment as the new Force Commander of UNAMSIL,” said Opande.
“General Tonje said that the government would consider the request and added that he would be retiring within three months in accordance with the terms and conditions of service for the CGS as prescribed. He informed me that he intended to recommend me, amongst other senior officers, to take over from him. But, he was waiting to hear the government’s final decision on the issue of my secondment to the United Nations.”
Some of the Peacekeeping Missions the General Led
Throughout his career, General Opande led several key UN peacekeeping missions:
- Namibia (1989–1990): Deputy Force Commander in UNTAG, overseeing elections and the transition to independence.
- Mozambique (1990–1993): Kenyan facilitator in peace negotiations between the government and RENAMO rebels, contributing to the 1992 General Peace Agreement.
- Liberia (1993–1995): Chief Military Observer in UNOMIL during the early civil war.
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- Sierra Leone (2000–2001): Force Commander of UNAMSIL, focusing on stabilisation, rebel disarmament, and advancing peace after the Lomé Accord.
- Liberia (2003–2005): Force Commander of UNMIL, overseeing disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration of over 100,000 combatants, and supporting the 2005 democratic elections.
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Photo of Retired General Daniel Opande and former UN Secretary General Kofi Anan. PHOTO/Courtesy
