After 35 years of loyal service in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), Warrant Officer II (Rtd) Maurice Juma Wafula has traded barracks life for the tranquillity of his farm in Bungoma County. The former pay clerk and auditor now spends his days tending to coffee and banana plantations, marking a peaceful transition from a life once defined by precision and discipline.
Maurice Juma Wafula is not only a Kenya Defence Forces veteran who once protected his nation, but also a man now dedicated to feeding it through farming and business.
“I joined the military in December 1985,” he recalls with pride. “After my basic training, I was posted to Mombasa in a unit called 77 Artillery Battalion, where I worked for four years as a gunner.”
Later, Wafula switched roles to become a Pay Clerk, a position that took him to Nakuru in 1995. “I was promoted to the rank of Corporal and later rose to Sergeant,” he says. “I went on a mission to Sierra Leone. We were the last group there before moving to Burundi and returning home after one year.”
In 2005, he joined the Department of Defence (DoD) as a Binder Clerk in the Integrated Personnel Payroll Database (IPPD) section, where he handled pay stubs for service representatives and women. Over the years, his dedication earned him promotions to Senior Sergeant and, eventually, Warrant Officer. In 2020, he was posted to the Kenya Military Academy (KMA) as Chief Pay Clerk, where he helped balance accounts and monitor unit finances.
“I retired in January 2021 after serving 35 years in the Kenyan Armed Forces,” he says. “Adjusting to civilian life was tricky after being away for so long. I joined the army when I was 22, and retiring at 57 meant starting a new life.”
From soldier to farmer
After retirement, Wafula faced a setback when a neighbour took and slaughtered his goat. “In 2022, an incident occurred with my closest neighbour, who secretly took my goat and slaughtered it. I reported the matter to the police, and the neighbour was arrested after investigations,” he recounts.
“Since then, I’ve focused on farming both cash and food crops. I planted 1,000 stems of coffee and bananas and later bought a tractor to support my farm work.”
Today, Wafula’s life revolves around managing his farm, interacting with neighbours, and maintaining a peaceful routine. “My daily duties now include farm management. I live peacefully, tend to my crops, and interact with neighbours,” he says with quiet satisfaction.
But farming is not his only focus. Mr. Juma Wafula is also a business executive who has invested richly in Korosiandet, Sirisia Constituency, creating job opportunities for young people who could not secure employment in larger firms. His entrepreneurial spirit continues to uplift the community, proving that service to the nation doesn’t end with retirement; it only takes on a new form.
He uses his experience to encourage others approaching retirement to prepare early before rejoining the community as civilians. “My message to government employees and upcoming retirees, especially my comrades in the military, is to work hard so they don’t regret it after retirement,” he advises.
Championing Veterans’ Welfare
Wafula remains actively involved in veterans’ welfare initiatives. He currently serves as the Chair of the Defence Forces Comrades Association (DEFOCA) in Bungoma County and as Auditor of the Retired Warrant Officers Chapter.
“In 2022, our country passed the Veterans Act to guide retired military officers on welfare and benefits,” he explains. “I’m grateful that this Act is helping us. Through welfare, we keep retirees active and connected with the community. Retirement doesn’t mean idleness; it’s a chance to serve differently.”
He adds, “I encourage all soldiers to join SACCOs, especially the Defence Forces SACCO, to secure their future. When I retired, I had saved 1.5 million shillings, which helped me start my post-service life.”
A Legacy of Discipline and Family
For Wafula, success after service stems from discipline and strong family foundations. “Avoid overspending or buying unnecessary second-hand items,” he cautions. “Buy something meaningful and plan well with your family. My wife and I have been married for over 22 years, and she has been supportive of my transition.”
He fondly recalls his days ensuring his troops valued family life. “In the military, family comes first,” he says. “Officers are encouraged to take leave regularly to visit their families. During my time as Sergeant Major, I used to ensure soldiers went home to maintain strong family ties.”
Continuing the mission
Wafula also acknowledges the pioneers of the military welfare system. “The welfare circle began in the late 1980s through the initiative of retired General Tonje,” he says. “It was called DEFOCA — a scheme to support servicemen and women, retirees, and their families. Those who joined have benefited from assistance during family loss or burial arrangements.”
Under his leadership, Bungoma veterans are pushing for greater county government support. “We are advocating for help from the Bungoma County Government to secure our welfare plots. Other counties like Machakos and Kisumu are ahead of us, and we aim to reach their level.”
As he looks across his coffee farm, Wafula remains optimistic about the future both for himself and for Kenya’s veterans. “Let’s avoid idleness, politics, and negative company,” he says. “Bungoma is blessed with rich land, rain, and hardworking people. Let’s invest in coffee. With good planning, we can thrive.”
For a man who once managed to pay for soldiers across Kenya, the rhythm of farm life now pays him back in peace. His service to the nation may have ended in uniform, but his mission, he says, continues on the soil he proudly calls home.
