Kenya’s “Green Berets” officially known as the Army Special Operations Brigade are the country’s primary special forces, based in Gilgil and Naivasha.
Drawing their nickname from the distinctive green beret worn by airborne units worldwide, they trace their legacy to the 20th Parachute Battalion (20 Paras), established in the 1960s.
The tradition dates back to October 14, 1964, when 40 officers trained in the UK, leading to the formation of Kenya’s airborne company in April 1965 .
Today’s brigade comprises the 20th Paras, the 30th Special Forces, and the 40th Rangers Strike Force.
The Paras specialize in high‑intensity airborne operations, capable of deep infiltration using static-line, HALO, and HAHO jumps .
The Rangers are modeled after the U.S. Army Rangers, while the 30th SF follows British Special Air Service-style training for prolonged operations in hostile environments.
Both units require intense training locally at the Special Operations Training School in Naivasha and abroad (e.g., U.S., UK, Israel) .
Their missions cover unconventional warfare, counter-terrorism, direct action, reconnaissance, and VVIP protection, such as securing the President’s safety .
Notably, they have played key roles in major operations including the Shifta conflict, Mt. Elgon insurgency, Operation Linda Nchi in Somalia, and the amphibious assault on Kismayu .
Selection is highly competitive—only about 25% of candidates complete the rigorous two-year training that includes physical endurance, intelligence testing, weapons skills, and high-altitude parachuting .
Operators are known to train with elite international counterparts such as the U.S. Rangers, British SAS, and Israeli commandos .
Their equipment is sophisticated, including SCAR rifles, advanced communications gear, and specialized parachuting kits .
In both domestic and international theatres—ranging from counter-insurgency at home to deployments in Somalia and Eastern DRC—Kenya’s Green Berets are the tip of the spear, delivering precision, adaptability, and covert operational capability .
By Theafrica