Relief in the Barracks as KDF Boss Clears Air on Controversial Salary Deductions

Tension had been quietly rising among KDF troops over whispers of new salary deductions linked to meal allowances. But a face-to-face assurance from their new chief has now doused the unease—at least for now.

During his first baraza with soldiers stationed at Ngao Gardens, Kenya Army Commander Lieutenant General David Ketter dismissed rumours that lunch allowances would be sliced from payslips under the new Pay-As-You-Eat (PAYE) system. “There will be no deductions,” he stated firmly, adding that claims about funds being managed by DESACCO were false and misleading.

Lt Gen Ketter hailed the rollout of the PAYE model, which took effect on July 1, 2025, saying it marks a shift toward dignity, flexibility, and equality in the military mess system. Under this scheme, both officers and enlisted personnel get equal food allowances and can now choose meals according to their preferences. “We recognise that food choices are personal,” he told the troops.

To smoothen implementation, KDF has introduced a mobile app that allows personnel to book and pay for meals digitally. The Commander urged soldiers to embrace the innovation as part of modern military reforms. The app, he said, would ensure convenience, reduce wastage, and increase accountability.

This was Lt Gen Ketter’s first major public engagement since taking command, and it carried strong undertones of reform and reassurance. Many interpreted his tone as a shift from the opacity that has long characterised welfare matters in the force.

But not all questions are settled. Some soldiers remain skeptical, citing the hurried implementation and the app’s technical glitches. Others worry that future leadership could quietly reverse these promises. For now, relief lingers—but trust remains on trial.