President William Ruto has made a raft of changes in Kenya’s military leadership, including the Kenya Army and the Kenya Air Force.
In the announcement made on Friday, June 27, by the Ministry of Defence, Ruto promoted Major General David Kipkemboi Ketter to Lieutenant General and appointed him as the Commander Kenya Army.
Ketter replaced Lieutenant General David Kimaiyo Chemwaina Tarus, who has been redeployed to the National Defence University-Kenya (NDU-K) as the Vice Chancellor.
Before his new appointment as Commander Kenya Army, Ketter was the Assistant Chief of Defence Forces in charge of Personnel and Logistics.
In addition, the President appointed Major General Benard Waliaula as the Commander Kenya Air Force. Waliaula replaces Major General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed, whose term of service has come to an end after 42 years.
Until his appointment as Commander Kenya Air Force, Major General Waliaula was the Director of Defence National Security Industries.
Similarly, the Head of State promoted Brigadier Joel Muriungi M'arimi to the rank of Major General and appointed him Commandant Kenya Military Academy.
Before his appointment, Muriungi was the Commandant at the Kenya Military Academy and the Commander Armoured Brigade.
Further, Ruto promoted Brigadier Joyce Chelang'at Sitienei to the rank of Major General and appointed her Deputy Vice Chancellor, Centre for Strategic and Security Studies at National Defence University -Kenya(NDU-K).
Until her promotion and appointment, she was the Director International Peace Support Centre.
Further, on the advice of the Defence Council chaired by Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya, the President upheld the Council's recommendations and made various promotions, postings and appointments of the Kenya Defence Forces Officers in the Army, Air Force and Navy.
In the Kenya Army, Brigadier Faustino Mancha Lobaly was promoted to Major General and appointed Director of the National Defence Security Industries. Also, Brigadier Charles Lenjo Mwazighe was promoted to Major General and appointed Director International Peace Support Centre.
Other promotions were Brigadier Mohamed Isak Iddi, who was promoted to Major General and appointed Director at the Directorate of Oversight, Compliance and Accountability (DOCA). He was joined by Brigadier Edward Rugendo, who was promoted to Major General and appointed Director of Personnel and Logistics.
Additionally, Brigadier Richard Wambua Mwanzia was promoted to Major General and appointed Senior Directing Staff, Army at the National Defence College. Colonel Said Mohamed Mwacharo was also promoted to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Infrastructure. The last Kenya Army promotion was Colonel Meshack Sinkira Kishoyian, who was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Commander 6 Brigade.
Further, Colonel Victor Waithaka Kang'ethe was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Director National Air Support Department (NASD). The Kenya Air Force promotions were finalised by Colonel Rodah Mkavita Mwasigwa, who was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Compensation and Welfare at Defence Headquarters.
In the Kenya Navy, Brigadier Timothy Stelu Lekolool was promoted to Major General and appointed Senior Directing Staff at the National Defence College. Colonel Ronald Mesa Makori was also promoted to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Strategic Plans and Policy.
Additionally, Colonel Peter Musili Muthungu was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Head of Production at Kenya Shipyard Limited. Another promotion was Lieutenant Colonel Wilfrida Atieno Omolo, who rose to the rank of Colonel and was appointed Commander Kenya Navy Logistics.
The final promotion was Lieutenant Colonel Safari Katana Kalume, who became Colonel and was appointed Senior Directing Staff, Navy Joint Warfare Centre.
