Nairobi, Kenya — President William Ruto has announced significant changes within the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), including the appointment of a new Kenya Army Commander and Kenya Air Force Commander, following a meeting of the Defence Council on Monday.
Major General David Kipkemboi Ketter has been promoted to Lieutenant General and appointed as the Commander of the Kenya Army, succeeding Lieutenant General David Kimaiyo Chemwaina Tarus, who has been redeployed to the National Defence University – Kenya (NDU-K) as Vice Chancellor.
Before his appointment, Lt Gen Ketter served as the Assistant Chief of Defence Forces in charge of Personnel and Logistics, positioning him as a potential successor to General Charles Kahariri, the current Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). As per the Tonje Rules, the Kenya Army is next in line to provide the CDF after the Navy, where Gen Kahariri hails from.
In the Kenya Air Force, Major General Benard Waliaula has been named the new Commander, replacing Major General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed, who has retired after 42 years of service. Waliaula previously served as the Director of Defence National Security Industries.
Other notable promotions and appointments include:Brigadier Joel Muriungi M’arimi promoted to Major General, appointed Commandant of the Kenya Military Academy.
Brigadier Joyce Chelang’at Sitienei promoted to Major General, appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor, Centre for Strategic and Security Studies at NDU-K.
Brigadier Faustino Mancha Lobaly, Brig Charles Lenjo Mwazighe, Brig Mohamed Isak Iddi, Brig Edward Rugendo, and Brig Richard Wambua Mwanzia were all promoted to Major General with various appointments, including to roles at the National Defence Security Industries, International Peace Support Centre, and Directorate of Oversight, Compliance and Accountability (DOCA).
Further promotions saw:Colonel Said Mohamed Mwacharo promoted to Brigadier, appointed Chief of Infrastructure.
Colonel Meshack Sinkira Kishoyian promoted to Brigadier, appointed Commander 6 Brigade.
Colonel Ronald Mesa Makori promoted to Brigadier, appointed Chief of Strategic Plans and Policy.
Colonel Herbert Mabele Wafula, Col Ismail Guhad Noor, Col Victor Waithaka Kang’ethe, and Col Peter Musili Muthungu promoted to Brigadier and deployed to strategic leadership roles across various defence departments.
Additionally, Lt Col Wilfrida Atieno Omolo has been promoted to Colonel, appointed Commander Kenya Navy Logistics, and Lt Col Safari Katana Kalume promoted to Colonel, appointed Senior Directing Staff Navy Joint Warfare Centre.
These appointments come as General Charles Kahariri continues to serve as CDF, with at least two years remaining in his tenure. The KDF Act stipulates that the CDF, deputy CDF, and service commanders serve a single four-year term or retire upon reaching the mandatory retirement age.
By Were Kelly
