Change of Guard: President Ruto makes new appointments, promotions in KDF

President William Ruto has made a new round of appointments and promotions in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), in changes affecting all service branches.

According to a notice by the Ministry of Defence on Friday, the move was made following a recommendation of the Defence Council, chaired by Defence Cabinet Secretary Roselinda Soipan Tuya, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the leadership structure of the military.

In the key changes, Major General David Kipkemboi Ketter has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General and appointed Commander of the Kenya Army.

He now takes over from Lieutenant General David Kimaiyo Chemwaina Tarus, who has been redeployed to the National Defence University - Kenya (NDU-K) as Vice Chancellor. Until his promotion, Lieutenant General Ketter was the Assistant Chief of Defence Forces in charge of Personnel and Logistics.

In the Kenya Air Force, Major General Benard Waliaula, who previously served as Director of Defence National Security Industries, has been appointed Commander, to replace Major General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed, who exits the service after 42 years.

Brigadier Joel Muriungi M’arimi has been promoted to Major General and appointed Commandant of the Kenya Military Academy, while Brigadier Joyce Chelang’at Sitienei, who was previously the Director of the International Peace Support Centre, has also been promoted to Major General and named Deputy Vice Chancellor, Centre for Strategic and Security Studies at NDU-K.

• 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 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.

• 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.

• Brigadier Timothy Stelu Lekolool – promoted to Major General and appointed Senior Directing Staff, 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.