Ruto Names Lt Gen Ketter as Army Commander in Changes
President William Ruto has appointed a new Army commander as part of a reshuffle within the Kenya Defence Forces.
This decision comes after a defense council meeting on Monday, where Maj Gen David Kipkemboi Ketter was promoted to Lieutenant General and named the Commander of the Kenya Army.
He takes over from Lieutenant General David Kimaiyo Chemwaina Tarus, who has been reassigned to the National Defence University – Kenya (NDU-K) as the Vice Chancellor.
Before stepping into his new role, Lieutenant General Ketter served as the Assistant Chief of Defence Forces, overseeing Personnel and Logistics.
This move positions him just a step away from potentially succeeding Gen Charles Kahariri as the Chief of Defence Forces.
According to the Tonje Rules, it is the Kenya Army that is supposed to take over after the Navy where Gen Kahariri belongs.
Ruto has appointed Major General Benard Waliaula as the new Commander of the Kenya Air Force. He takes over from Major General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed, who has completed an impressive 42 years of service.
Before stepping into this role, Major General Waliaula served as the Director of Defence National Security Industries.
In addition, the President has promoted Brigadier Joel Muriungi M’arimi to Major General and named him the Commandant of the Kenya Military Academy. Prior to this appointment, he was leading the Armoured Brigade.
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In a significant move, the President has promoted Brigadier Joyce Chelang’at Sitienei to the rank of Major General and appointed her as the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Centre for Strategic and Security Studies at the National Defence University – Kenya (NDU-K). Before this promotion, she served as the Director of the International Peace Support Centre.
Additionally, following the advice of the Defence Council, which is chaired by Cabinet Secretary for Defence Roselinda Soipan Tuya, the President accepted the Council’s recommendations and carried out several promotions, postings, and appointments for officers in the Kenya Defence Forces.
Brigadier Faustino Mancha Lobaly has been elevated to Major General and appointed as the Director of National Defence Security Industries, while Brigadier Charles Lenjo Mwazighe has also been promoted to Major General and appointed as the Director of the International Peace Support Centre.
Brigadier Mohamed Isak Iddi has been promoted to Major General and is now the Director at the Directorate of Oversight, Compliance and Accountability (DOCA). Meanwhile, Brigadier Edward Rugendo has also stepped up to Major General and taken on the role of Director of Personnel and Logistics.
Brigadier Richard Wambua Mwanzia has been elevated to Major General and appointed as the Senior Directing Staff Army at the National Defence College. In addition, Colonel Said Mohamed Mwacharo has been promoted to Brigadier and is now the Chief of Infrastructure.
Brigadier Timothy Stelu Lekolool has received a promotion to Major General and is serving as the Senior Directing Staff at the National Defence College.
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On another note, Colonel Meshack Sinkira Kishoyian has been promoted to Brigadier and appointed as the Commander of the 6 Brigade. Additionally, Colonel Ronald Mesa Makori has also been promoted to Brigadier and is now the Chief of Strategic Plans and Policy.
Col Herbert Mabele Wafula has been promoted to Brigadier and is now the Base Commander at Moi Airbase. Meanwhile, Col Ismail Guhad Noor has also been elevated to Brigadier and takes on the role of Deputy Managing Director at Kenya Ordinance Factories Limited and the Food Processing Factory.
Col Victor Waithaka Kang’ethe has received a promotion to Brigadier and will serve as the Director of the National Air Support Department (NASD).
Colonel Peter Musili Muthungu has been promoted to Brigadier and appointed as the Head of Production at Kenya Shipyard Limited. Additionally, Lt Col Wilfrida Atieno Omolo has been promoted to Colonel and will now command the Kenya Navy Logistics.
Lieutenant Colonel Safari Katana Kalume has also been promoted to Colonel and is set to take on the role of Senior Directing Staff at the Navy Joint Warfare Centre.
Gen Kahariri still has at least two more years left in his military service.
According to the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Act, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), along with his deputy and service commanders, is required to serve a single term of four years or retire upon reaching the mandatory retirement age.
Ruto Names Lt Gen Ketter as Army Commander in Changes
