Major General (Rtd) Joseph Kasaine Ole Nkaissery was born on 28th November 1949 and hailed from the Maasai community of the Odomongi clan in Kajiado county.
Major General Nkaissery was an alumnus of Ilbisil Primary School before joining Olkejuado High School in 1967 for his O levels and was later admitted in Kenyatta University to pursue a Bachelor of Education in the pioneer class of 1971.
In 1972, the call of duty saw the Major General enrol for the Kenya Army and was successfully recruited to join the Kenya Armed Forces Training College in Lanet as a cadet where he got Military training and studies up until 1984.
SEE ALSO: Restrictions on media coverage for Nkaissery funeral
Having been quite exceptional, Major General Nkaissery was among the few selected for admission at the Defense Staff College, Military Academy in Dehra Dun, India for further training.
Later, in 1996 he was again selected for a leadership and development course at the Kennedy School, Havard University in USA. He afterwards was admitted to the United States Army College, the USA for a Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Leadership and Management.
Major General Nkaissery served in the Kenya Defence Forces for 30 gallant years rising up the ranks from Commandant Battalion in 1982, Battalion Second in Command in 1986, Military Assistant to the Chief of General Staff from 1987 to 1991, Commander Chief of Personnel from 1992 to 1993, Brigade Commander from 1994 to 1996, Deputy Commandant/Chief Instructor-brigade from 1997 to 1998 and General Officer in Command-Westcom from 1999 to 2002 until he retired at the senior command level of Major General.
Soon after retirement, Major General Nkaissery was favoured to enter politics by the Maasai community in 2003 and successfully won the Member of Parliament seat of Kajiado Central under a KANU ticket. In 2007 he vied and won on an ODM ticket and also in 2013 under CORD.
He was very vocal on matters Maasai community, at the fore in fighting for their rights and doubled up as an Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Defense in the coalition government between 2007 to 2013.
SEE ALSO: Was Joseph Nkaissery assassinated?
Major General (Rtd) Nkaissery’s military experience and expertise in security affairs had him appointed to the position of Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Co-ordination of National Government in February 2014, a position he was diligently still continuing to serve in.
Major General (Rtd) Nkaissery has left behind his beloved wife, Hellen Nkaissery with whom they have been married for the last 37 years and have 4 children, two girls and two boys. He was described as a hard worker and strategic but loved to crack jokes and watch Manchester United football matches.
He was a staunch Christian who always started his day with prayers. He strongly believed in health and keeping fit.
NEXT: Worries over Raila Odinga’s health as elections close in
Outside the office, Major General (Rtd) was a community worker and had a passion for supporting projects ranging from churches, water projects and schools such as Maparasha primary and Ilbisil girls high school which are in Kajiado. With his wife, Major General was also a dairy farmer and was happy to go back home to herd his cows.
Major General (Rtd) Joseph Nkaissery was professional and passionate about his work and gave his best in all he did. (Source: nkaissery.or.ke)
Business Today team sends condolences to Joseph Ole Nkaissery’s family, friends and Kenyans at large. May his Soul Rest in Eternal Peace
