President William Ruto has made major changes in the Kenya Defence Forces, promoting and appointing several senior officers in the Army, Air Force, and Navy following recommendations by the Defence Council.

The changes announced on Friday, Major General David Kipkemboi Ketter has been promoted to Lieutenant General and named the new Commander of the Kenya Army, taking over from Lieutenant General David Kimaiyo Chemwaina Tarus who has been redeployed to serve as Vice Chancellor at the National Defence University – Kenya (NDU-K).

Until this appointment, Ketter was the Assistant Chief of Defence Forces in charge of Personnel and Logistics.

The President has also appointed Major General Benard Waliaula as the Commander of the Kenya Air Force.

He replaces Major General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed whose term of service has ended after 42 years. Before this appointment, Waliaula served as Director of Defence National Security Industries.

Brigadier Joel Muriungi M’arimi has been promoted to Major General and appointed as the Commandant of the Kenya Military Academy.

He previously served as the Commander of the Armoured Brigade.

In another appointment, Brigadier Joyce Chelang’at Sitienei has been promoted to Major General and named the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Centre for Strategic and Security Studies at NDU-K. She was previously the Director of the International Peace Support Centre.

“The President upheld the Council’s recommendations and made various promotions, postings and appointments of Kenya Defence Forces Officers,” the statement from the Ministry of Defence said.

Other key promotions in the Kenya Army include:

• 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 (DOCA).
• 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.

In the Kenya Air Force, the following officers have been promoted:

• 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 Ordinance 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.

For the 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 at 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.