The Kenya Air Force has officially bid farewell to Major General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed, Kenya's first female Air Force Commander, marking the end of a groundbreaking 42-year military career.
Her retirement comes as part of the leadership reshuffle announced by President William Ruto in the military on June 27.
Major General Ahmed made history in May 2024 when she was appointed as the first woman to lead a branch of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). Her elevation to Commander of the Kenya Air Force was praised as a milestone for gender equality and military reforms in the country.
The farewell ceremony, held at Moi Air Base in Eastleigh, Nairobi, was attended by senior military officials, dignitaries, and members of the air force.
President Ruto, acting on the recommendations of the Defence Council chaired by Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya, appointed Major General Bernard Waliaula as Ahmed’s successor. Waliaula previously served as Director of Defence National Security Industries and brings decades of experience to the role.
Major General Waliaula expressed his gratitude to the outgoing Commander for her exemplary service and congratulated other officers on their new ranks.
“I thank the outgoing Commander for her dedicated leadership. To the newly promoted officers, this is a call to greater responsibility. I urge you to remain focused, uphold professionalism, and serve with integrity,” he said.
Ahmed’s military journey began in 1983 when she joined the Women’s Service Corps. She later transitioned into the Kenya Air Force when the unit was integrated into the KDF in 1999.
Over the years, she rose through the ranks, becoming Kenya's first female Brigadier in 2015 and the first female Major General in 2018.
Following promotions and appointments made by President Ruto, the Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force, and Kenya Navy held investiture of ranks ceremonies at their respective Service Headquarters in Nairobi and Mombasa.
During these ceremonies, newly promoted officers were formally decorated with their new badges of rank.
The ceremony at the headquarters in Nairobi was presided over by the incoming Commander of the Kenya Army, Lieutenant General David Keter, alongside the outgoing Commander, Lieutenant General David Tarus.
In his remarks, Lt. Gen. Keter congratulated the newly promoted officers and acknowledged their dedication and hard work. He emphasised the critical responsibilities that come with leadership, urging the officers to lead with integrity and purpose.
