•The president also appointed Ogolla the Vice Chief of the Defence Forces in new postings, promotions and appointments.
•Ogolla replaces LT Franklin Mgalu who has served the forces for 40 years. He had previously served as the commander Kenya Navy.
Image: PSCU
President Uhuru Kenyatta has promoted Major General Francis Ogolla to the rank of Lieutenant General.
The president also appointed Ogolla the Vice Chief of the Defence Forces in new postings, promotions and appointments.
Ogolla replaces LT Franklin Mgalu who has served the forces for 40 years. He had previously served as the commander Kenya Navy.
The Chief of Defence Forces will remain Gen Robert Kiboch. The new team is likely to oversee the 2022 general elections.
In the new appointments announced on Friday, Uhuru also promoted Nairobi Metropolitan Service Director-General Mohammed Badi to the rank of Lt General.
Badi maintains his position as Nairobi Metropolitan Service Director-General.
Brigadier John Omenda has also been promoted to the rank of Maj Gen and appointed him Commander Kenya Air Force.
The changes were announced by the president following recommendations by the Defence Council which was chaired by Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma.
The council also promoted Maj Gen Albert Kandagor to the rank of Lt Gen and appointed him as the commander of Amisom designate, Maj Gen Johnah Mwangi to Lt Gen and appointed vice chancellor National Defence University of Kenya.
Maj Gen William Shume was appointed deputy Commander Kenya Army. Brig Alphaxard Kiugu was promoted to the rank of Maj Gen and appointed assistant chief of defence personnel and logistics while Brig Peter Muteti was promoted to the rank of Maj Gen and appointed general officer border security command.
Brig Stephene Otieno was promoted to the rank of Maj Gen and named general officer commanding border security command while Col Peter Chelimo was promoted to brigadier and appointed base commander Kenya Navy Manda.
The new Kenya Defence Forces spokesperson will be Col Esther Wanjiku to replace Col Zipora Kioko who goes for further studies at Royal college of defence.
Maj Gen Fatuma Ahmed was posted to the Kenya Military academy as the commandant while Maj Gen Solomon Manambo was posted to national security industries as director general and Maj GenPeter Njiru was appointed commandant Defence Staff college and Maj Gen Martin Ong’oyi was posted to Kenya Ordinance Factories as managing director.
Maj Gen Charles Kahariri was appointed commandant national defence college while Maj Gen Rashid Elmi was posted to national defence university for studies and Brig Ken Didi was appointed deputy chief of Legal at the college.
The council which is known as Number One Board, the organ that decides changes in the appointment and promotion of senior military and possible retirement or extension of contracts of the Kenya Army, Kenya Navy and Kenya Air Force commanders, met and made the changes.
They briefed president Kenyatta before he made the announcement. The KDF Act says a CDF, his deputy and service commanders shall serve a single term of four years or retire upon attaining the mandatory retirement age.
But the Act also says the President may, on the recommendation of the National Defence Council, extend the CDF’s term for a period not exceeding one year in times of war or emergencies like political uncertainty.
Under the Tonje rules, the position of the CDF is rotated among the three services - Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force and Kenya Navy. The rules, by Retired Chief of General Staff Gen Daudi Tonje, have steered appointments in KDF.
The CDF will oversee the transition from the Kenyatta presidency in 2022. A General is supposed to retire at 62, a Lieutenant-General at 61, a Major-General at 59 and a Brigadier at 57 years.
However, the law puts a disclaimer on the General that: “The maximum retirement age shall be amended from time to time through legislation on the recommendation by the Defence Council.”