Honorary Colonel Kanwal Sethi, DSM
Honorary Colonel of the Canadian Forces College
Major Kanwal Sethi, DSM (Ret'd) affectionately known as "Kamal" to friends and colleagues, enjoyed a distinguished military career during a pivotal period in African history. He enlisted in the King’s African Rifles in 1962 in colonial Kenya and was commissioned into the newly independent Kenya Army in 1964. He received advanced training at the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and the British Army Staff College in Camberley, UK. Severely wounded in combat during operations against the secessionist Shifta insurgency, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for outstanding bravery and leadership by the President of Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta. He played a key role in the formation and professionalization of Kenya’s armed forces in its early years of independence.
Following his retirement from the Kenya Army, Kamal immigrated to Canada with his family in 1980. He launched an extraordinary second career as an entrepreneur and international business leader, serving as a representative for numerous leading Canadian companies expanding into Africa in areas of defence, hydroelectric power, pre-fabricated housing, avionics, electronics, and many more. He successfully brokered and facilitated cumulative deals exceeding $500 million, driving significant economic partnerships and growth. In Canada, he further built a thriving real estate portfolio and established a highly successful property management business in Toronto, overseeing more than 1 Million square feet of prime commercial space.
Since 2003, Kamal has been a dedicated volunteer at the Canadian Forces College. For the past 24 years, he has organized and led the annual CornFest event, which now draws over 400 attendees each year and has become a cherished tradition that strengthens community bonds and ‘esprit de corps’ within the College. He has provided unwavering support to international students, coordinated a diverse array of impactful events, and forged enduring partnerships with key organizations including the Toronto Police Service, Toronto Fire Services, Toronto Paramedics, and various business councils. He is also an active supporter of the Royal Canadian Legion, the Royal Canadian Military Institute, and initiatives of the Canadian Forces Liaison Council.
In 2016, he established the Sethi Inukshuk Award, granted annually to a National Security Programme student who demonstrates exemplary leadership qualities. His autobiography, Shaping Destiny (2016), vividly recounts his remarkable journey from humble beginnings in rural Africa, through key historical events and interactions with prominent figures, to his impactful life and contributions in Canada.
Kamal’s longstanding commitment to volunteerism and community service has been honoured with several prestigious awards, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, and the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
HCol Kanwal Sethi was appointed Honorary Colonel of the Canadian Forces College on 18 February 2026.
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