Military veterans in Tharaka Nithi County have launched a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Veterans Chapter aimed at strengthening welfare coordination, improving access to benefits, and enhancing economic and healthcare support for retired servicemen and women.
The welfare, launched at the Deputy County Commissioner’s (DCC) grounds in Chuka, brings together retired military officers under a structured county-level system intended to bridge long-standing gaps in accessing pensions, healthcare services, dependants’ registration, and other post-service benefits.
It is also expected to reduce delays and challenges often faced by veterans when following up on documentation and welfare-related processes, while bringing services closer to them at the grassroots.
Speaking during the launch, Lucas Tumbo, a retired Major General and Chairman of the KDF Military Veterans Advisory Committee, said the county chapters are part of a national framework designed to decentralize veterans’ services and improve efficiency in welfare delivery.
He said the structure will ensure veterans no longer depend solely on national offices for routine welfare matters, noting that closer coordination at the county level will ease access to healthcare, pension support, and registration of dependants.
Tumbo emphasized that veterans remain a valuable national asset due to the wide range of skills they acquired during service, adding that their experience can still be utilized in county development if properly organized.
“We have engineers, administrators, cooks, medics and professionals from all fields among veterans. Their experience can still be used to support development and move counties forward,” he said.
He further urged veterans to strengthen their economic base through Saccos and investment groups, saying collective savings would enable them to access affordable credit, start businesses, and create employment opportunities for themselves and young people.
Tumbo also noted that organized veterans’ groups are better positioned to attract partnerships with the government and other stakeholders, strengthening long-term welfare support and investment opportunities.
Commenting on healthcare, he said many veterans continue to face medical challenges after retirement and urged stronger linkage to medical cover systems, including registration under the Social Health Authority (SHA) to ensure continuous access to treatment.
He further called for improved recognition of veterans, including dignified treatment in public life and consideration of honoring distinguished servicemen and women through naming roads and public facilities after them.
The Chairperson of the Tharaka Nithi Veterans Chapter Godfrey Gitonga said the new structure will help unify veterans under one umbrella while improving follow-up on welfare issues affecting them after service.
Gitonga urged veterans who are not yet registered with SHA to do so, noting that access to healthcare remains a critical priority for retired officers and their families.
He added that the military fraternity does not abandon its members after retirement, and the chapter will strengthen support systems including welfare tracking, health coordination and social protection.
County Commissioner David Gitonga commended the veterans for their discipline and patriotism, noting that their experience remains valuable in promoting peace and responsible citizenship.
He said the national government will work closely with the county government and veterans’ leadership to support the new chapter, including facilitating the establishment of an office to coordinate veterans’ affairs at the county level.
He further urged them to mentor young people on patriotism and peaceful conflict resolution, warning against destruction of property during protests.
By Dickson Mwiti and Christine Ngitori
