Ruto appoints new Army, Air Force commanders, promotes former Uhuru aide-de-camp

Major-General David Kipkemboi Ketter was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General and his appointment as the Kenya Army Commander.

It is a significant rise for Lt-Gen Ketter’s career in the KDF since in 2023 he was among military officers who secured presidential promotions and appointments, after being appointed Deputy Commander of Kenya Army.

Lt-Gen Ketter has replaced Lieutenant-General David Kimaiyo Chemwaina Tarus, who has been redeployed by the President to National Defence University –Kenya as the vice-chancellor.

Until the new appointment, Lt-Gen Ketter also served as the Assistant Chief of Defence Forces in charge of personnel and logistics.

The naming of Lt-Gen Ketter as Kenya Army boss means that he becomes the third man from the army in line to be a general, with the service next in rotation to produce the military boss, according to rules set by Gen (rtd) Daudi Tonje.

The others in the rank are Lt-Gen Tarus and Lt-Gen Juma Shee Mwinyikai (Commandant of the National Defence College). Appointment to be Chief of Defence forces, however, considers other factors, including age.

Gen Charles Kahariri is from the Navy, while Gen Francis Ogolla who died in April last year, was from the Air Force. His immediate predecessor, Gen Robert Kibochi, was from the Army.

A General is supposed to retire at the age of 62 years but the President can give a one-year extension. The retirement of other top ranks is 61 years for a Lt-Gen, a Maj-Gen at 59 and a Brigadier at 57 years unless promoted to a higher rank.

The law, however, puts a disclaimer on the General that: “The maximum retirement age shall be amended from time to time through legislation on the recommendation by the Defence Council.”

While the Kenya Army commander is at the rank of a Lieutenant General, the Navy and the Air Force are commanded by officers at the rank of Major-General.

At the same time, Major-General Bernard Waliaula has been appointed as the Kenya Air Force Commander to replace Major-General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed, whose term of service has come to an end after 42 years of service.

Maj-Gen Ahmed hit headlines in May 2024 following her promotion and appointment as the first female Kenya Air Force commander. Before this appointment, she served as the Senior Directing Staff Air at the National Defence College from May 2023. She was enlisted in the KDF in 1983.

Until his promotion and appointment as Commander Kenya Air Force, Maj-Gen Waliaula was the Director of Defence National Security Industries.

Read: Ruto's military changes signal a break from the past

He was also a member of the Kenya Space Agency, Base Commander Laikipia Air Base, Deputy Air Force Commander, Senior Directing Staff at the National Defence College, Commandant Defence Staff College and Chairman Defence Forces Pensions Appeals Tribunal.

Another prominent figure featuring in the changes Brigadier Timothy Stelu Lekolool from the Kenya Navy, who served as aide-de-camp of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.

He has been promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed as Senior Directing Staff at National Defence College.

On the recommendations from the Defence Council, chaired by the Defence Cabinet Secretary Roselinda Soipan Tuya, the President also upheld the promotion of Brigadier Joel Muriungi M'arimi to the rank of Major General and appointed him Commandant Kenya Military Academy.  Before this elevation, Brig M’arimi was the Commander Armoured Brigade.

Further, the President 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 the National Defence University – Kenya.

Until her promotion and appointment, she was the Director International Peace Support Centre.

The President also upheld 16 other promotions, postings, and appointments across different branches of the military.

In the Kenya Army, President Ruto made seven changes, five of which were promotions from the rank of Brigadier to that of Major General.

They include Faustino Mancha Lobaly who was also appointed Director National Defence Security Industries, Charles Lenjo Mwazighe (also appointed Director International Peace Support Centre) while Mohamed Isak Iddi was appointed Director at the Directorate of Oversight, Compliance and Accountability.

Brigadier Edward Rugendo was also appointed Director of Personnel and Logistics while Richard Wambua Mwanzia became Senior Directing Staff Army at National Defence College.

Two other Kenya Army officers were promoted from Colonel to Brigadier. They are Colonel Said Mohamed Mwacharo, who was promoted to the rank Brigadier and appointed Chief of Infrastructure, and Colonel Meshack Sinkira Kishoyian who was also appointed Commander 6 Brigade.

In the Kenya Air Force, the President made four changes where the officers were promoted from the rank of Colonel to Brigadier.

They include Colonel Herbert Mabele Wafula who was also appointed Base Commander Moi Airbase.

Colonel Ismail Guhad Noor was appointed Deputy Managing Director at Kenya Ordnance Factories Limited and Food Processing Factory while Colonel Victor Waithaka Kang'ethe became the Director National Air Support Department.

Still on the promotions at the Kenya Air Force, Colonel Rodah Mkavita Mwasigwa was also appointed Chief of Compensation and Welfare at Defence Headquarters.

In Kenya Navy, the President made five changes starting with the promotion of Brigadier Timothy Stelu Lekolool to Major General and appointed Senior Directing Staff at National Defence College while Colonel Ronald Mesa Makori was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Strategic Plans and Policy.

Colonel Peter Musili Muthungu was also promoted to Brigadier and appointed Head of Production at Kenya Shipyard Limited, while Lieutenant Colonel Wilfrida Atieno Omolo was promoted to Colonel and appointed Commander Kenya Navy Logistics.

Lieutenant Colonel Safari Katana Kalume was promoted to Colonel and appointed Senior Directing Staff Navy Joint Warfare Centre.

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