President William Ruto has, on Friday, made promotions and appointments at the helm of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), upon the recommendation of the Defence Council.
In a communiqué issued by Defence Cabinet Secretary Roselinda Soipan Tuya, President Ruto promoted Major General David Kipkemboi Ketter to Lieutenant General and appointed him as the Commander of the Kenya Army. Ketter replaces Lieutenant General David Tarus, who has been redeployed to the National Defence University as the Vice Chancellor.
Another key appointment is that of Major General Benard Waliaula, who will now serve as the Commander of the Kenya Air Force, replacing Major General Fatuma Ahmed, who proceeds on retirement after 42 years of service.
The President has also promoted Brigadier Joel Muriungi to the rank of Major General and appointed him Commander of the Kenya Military Academy. Brigadier Joyce Chelang’at Sitienei has been promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor, Centre for Strategic and Security Studies at the National Defence University-Kenya.
Other promotions and appointments include:
Kenya Army
- Brigadier Faustino Mancha Lobaly – promoted to Major General and appointed Director, National Defence Security Industries.
- Brigadier Charles Lenjo Mwazighe – promoted to Major General and appointed Director, International Peace Support Centre.
- Brigadier Mohamed Isak Iddi – promoted to Major General and appointed Director, Directorate of Oversight, Compliance and Accountability (DOCAA).
- Brigadier Edward Rugendo – promoted to Major General and appointed Director of Personnel and Logistics.
- Brigadier Richard Wambua Mwanzia – promoted to Major General and appointed Senior Directing Staff, Army, at the National Defence College.
- Colonel Said Mohamed Mwacharo – promoted to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Infrastructure.
- Colonel Meshack Sinkira Kishoyian – promoted to Brigadier and appointed Commander, 6 Brigade.
Kenya Navy
- Brigadier Timothy Stelu Lekolool – promoted to Major General and appointed Senior Directing Staff at the National Defence College.
- Colonel Ronald Mesa Makori – promoted to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Strategic Plans and Policy.
- Colonel Peter Musili Muthungu – promoted to Brigadier and appointed Head of Production, Kenya Shipyard Limited.
- Lieutenant Colonel Wilfrida Atieno Omolo – promoted to Colonel and appointed Commander, Kenya Navy Logistics.
- Lieutenant Colonel Safari Katana Kalume – promoted to Colonel and appointed Senior Directing Staff, Navy Joint Warfare Centre.
Kenya Air Force
- Colonel Herbert Mabele Wafula – promoted to Brigadier and appointed Base Commander, Moi Airbase.
- Colonel Ismail Guhad Noor – promoted to Brigadier and appointed Deputy Managing Director at Kenya Ordnance Factories Limited and Food Processing Factory.
- Colonel Victor Waithaka Kang’ethe – promoted to Brigadier and appointed Director, National Air Support Department (NASD).
- Colonel Rodah Mkavita Mwasigwa – promoted to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Compensation and Welfare at Defence Headquarters.
