President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday urged service men and women to serve the nation with dedication.
“I urge the service men and women to serve the nation with dedication and enhance the skills you have acquired to build the nation," said Uhuru.
While presiding over the cadet pass out parade at Lanet barracks in Nakuru, Uhuru said the officers' career should be directed at protecting the lives of Kenyans.
“Service men and women have the responsibility of ensuring Kenyans are protected from external threats,” said Uhuru.
He also lauded them for their professionalism, ethics and great personal sacrifice to Kenyans.
The President also commended the Kenyan soldiers for playing a major role in the UN peace keeping mission all over the world.
“Our men and women have been enlisted to UN peace keeping forces and this attests their professionalism,” he said.
Uhuru further said the higher number of female officers’ commissioned shows the government’s commitment to equal opportunities for every Kenyan.
“The government is an equal opportunity employer where men and women are recruited equally," said Uhuru.
He expressed satisfaction in the military cooperation in diverse training programmes between Kenya and neighbouring countries including Botswana, Burundi, Malawi and Rwanda among many others.
“The presence of cadets from neighbouring East Africa nations shows the cooperation of the members states,” said Uhuru.
During the occasion, the President awarded trophies and medals to the most excelling officers.