President William Ruto named a new Army commander in changes within the Kenya Defence Forces.
This follows a defense council meeting on Monday that promoted Maj Gen David Kipkemboi Ketter to Lieutenant General and appointed him as the Commander Kenya Army.
He replaces Lieutenant General David Kimaiyo Chemwaina Tarus who redeployed to the National Defence University - Kenya (NDU-K) as the Vice Chancellor.
Until his appointment as Commander Kenya Army, Lieutenant General Ketter was the Assistant Chief of Defence Forces in charge of Personnel and Logistics.
This puts him an arm away from 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 also appointed Major General Benard Waliaula as the Commander Kenya Air Force.
Major General Benard Waliaula replaces Major General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed whose term of service has come to an end after 42 years of service.
Until his appointment as Commander Kenya Air Force, Major General Benard Waliaula was the Director of Defence National Security Industries.
The President also promoted and appointed Brigadier Joel Muriungi M'arimi to the rank of Major General and appointed him Commandant Kenya Military Academy.
Until his appointment as Commandant Kenya Military Academy, he was the Commander Armoured Brigade.
Further, the President promoted and appointed Brigadier Joyce Chelang'at Sitienei to the rank of Major General and appointed her Deputy Vice Chancellor Centre for Strategic and Security Studies at National Defence University - Kenya (NDU -K). Until her promotion and appointment, she was the Director International Peace Support Centre.
Further, on the advice of the Defence Council Chaired by Cabinet Secretary for Defence Roselinda Soipan Tuya, the President upheld the Council's recommendations and made various promotions, postings and appointments of Kenya Defence Forces Officers.
Brig Faustino Mancha Lobaly was promoted to Major General and appointed Director National Defence Security Industries while Brig Charles Lenjo Mwazighe Promoted to Maj Gen and appointed Director International Peace Support Centre.
Brigadier Mohamed Isak Iddi was promoted to Major General and appointed Director at the Directorate of Oversight, Compliance and Accountability (DOCA) while Brigadier Edward Rugendo was promoted to Major General and appointed Director of Personnel and Logistics.
Brigadier Richard Wambua Mwanzia was promoted to Major General and appointed Senior Directing Staff Army at National Defence College while Colonel Said Mohamed Mwacharo was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Infrastructure.
Brigadier Timothy Stelu Lekolool was promoted to Major General and appointed Senior Directing Staff at National Defence College while Brig Timothy Stelu Lekolool was promoted to Major General and appointed Senior Directing Staff at National Defence College.
Further, Colonel Meshack Sinkira Kishoyian was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Commander 6 Brigade.
Further, Colonel Meshack Sinkira Kishoyian was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Commander 6 Brigade while Colonel Ronald Mesa Makori was promoted to Brig and appointed Chief of Strategic Plans and Policy.
Col Herbert Mabele Wafula was promoted to Brig and appointed Base Commander Moi Airbase while Col Ismail Guhad Noor was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Deputy Managing Director at Kenya Ordinance Factories Limited and Food Processing Factory.
Col Victor Waithaka Kang'ethe was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Director National Air Support Department (NASD).
Colonel Peter Musili Muthungu was promoted to Brig and appointed Head of Production at Kenya Shipyard Limited while Lt Col Wilfrida Atieno Omolo was promoted to Colonel and appointed Commander Kenya Navy Logistics.
Lieutenant Colonel Safari Katana Kalume was promoted to Colonel and appointed Senior Directing Staff Navy Joint Warfare Centre.
Gen Kahariri has at least two more years to serve in the military.
The Kenya Defence Forces (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.
