A chef has been recognised by the Senior Military Commander in Helmand for his caring manner and culinary skills while on operational tour in Afghanistan.
Lance Corporal Kennedy Mutonga Muia (28), from Stoke-on-Trent, has received a Commander’s Coin from Commander Task Force Helmand, Brigadier Bob Bruce, for his work as a chef while deployed in support of the Scots Guards in Afghanistan.
Kennedy, originally from Kenya, was awarded the Commendation for his ‘selfless dedication to duty, always putting others before himself,’ as his citation reads. He received the award alongside seven other Royal Logistics Corps chefs who were also completing their tours of the Province.
Kennedy’s citation goes on to say: “His achievements cut across professional, sporting, spiritual and social lines, and have touched soldiers' lives at both the collective and individual levels.”
Lance Corporal Kennedy Mutonga Muia (28), from Stoke-on-Trent, has received a Commander’s Coin from Commander Task Force Helmand, Brigadier Bob Bruce, for his work as a chef while deployed in support of the Scots Guards in Afghanistan.
Kennedy, originally from Kenya, was awarded the Commendation for his ‘selfless dedication to duty, always putting others before himself,’ as his citation reads. He received the award alongside seven other Royal Logistics Corps chefs who were also completing their tours of the Province.
Kennedy’s citation goes on to say: “His achievements cut across professional, sporting, spiritual and social lines, and have touched soldiers' lives at both the collective and individual levels.”
Kennedy, who puts it slightly differently, said: “Most of the guys just felt comfortable talking to me, I think, just because I put on a smile every day, even when things were bad.”
When asked about the award Kennedy, a devout Christian, said, “I have no words for the first time in 28 years, I am speechless. It encourages me that someone has seen my hard work. Sometimes when you are a person who gives morale, you need someone else to give you morale.”
Feeding in a FOB
The tour was a challenging one for Kennedy. Normally based in Catterick with the Scots Guards, he found himself feeding them in a Forward Operating Base (FOB) called Ouellette. He said his biggest challenge was: “Being in an environment where you’re not really sure what’s going to happen next.”
As well as cooking in FOB Oulette, Kennedy moved around supporting other smaller bases, sometimes cooking for 100 soldiers with only a small team to help. In addition to receiving his award, Kennedy has also been promoted to Corporal.
Despite his admission that his ‘faith was tested’, Kennedy said: “I came out the other side shining, and I am looking forward to going to my church. It has been seven months since I went, and that is way too long.”
When asked about the award Kennedy, a devout Christian, said, “I have no words for the first time in 28 years, I am speechless. It encourages me that someone has seen my hard work. Sometimes when you are a person who gives morale, you need someone else to give you morale.”
Feeding in a FOB
The tour was a challenging one for Kennedy. Normally based in Catterick with the Scots Guards, he found himself feeding them in a Forward Operating Base (FOB) called Ouellette. He said his biggest challenge was: “Being in an environment where you’re not really sure what’s going to happen next.”
As well as cooking in FOB Oulette, Kennedy moved around supporting other smaller bases, sometimes cooking for 100 soldiers with only a small team to help. In addition to receiving his award, Kennedy has also been promoted to Corporal.
Despite his admission that his ‘faith was tested’, Kennedy said: “I came out the other side shining, and I am looking forward to going to my church. It has been seven months since I went, and that is way too long.”
