Ruto shakes up military, names new Army and Air Force chiefs

President William Ruto, as the commander in chief of the defence forces, has today made changes in the Kenya Defence Forces, KDF, a move aiming at high-level reorganisation within the military.
The directive comes upon the recommendation from the Defence Council, chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Defence, Sipan Tuya.
Major adjustment has seen the promotion of Major General David Kipkemboi Ketter to Lieutenant General and his appointment as the Commander of the Kenyan Army.
In the defence, Lieutenant David now takes over from Lieutenant General David Kimaiyo Chemwaina, who has been redeployed to the National Defence University- Kenya (NDU-K) as the Vice Chancellor.
Lieutenant General Ketter served as the assistant chief of the Defence Forces in charge of personnel and logistics before his appointment.
Additionally, Major General Benard Waliaula has been appointed as the Commander of the Kenyan Airforce, replacing Major General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed, whose service has come to an end after 42 years of service.
Major General Waliaula served as the Director of Defence National Security Industries before his recent appointment.
Brigadier Joel Muriungi M’arimi, who served as the commander of Armoured Brigade, has been promoted and appointed to the rank of Major General and Commandant of the Kenya Military Academy, respectively.
Brigadier Joyce Chelang’at Sitienei has been promoted to Major General and appointed to the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Strategic and Security Studies at the National Defence University in the new changes. She was serving as the Director International Peace Support Centre until her appointment.
Other promotions, postings, and appointments in the Kenya Army are as follows;
Brigadier Faustino Mancha Lobaly-Promoted to Major General and appointed as the Director of National Defence Security Industries
Brigadier Charles Lenjob Mwazighe-Promoted to Major General and appointed as the Director of the International Peace Support Centre.
Brigadier Mohamed Isak Iddi- Promoted to Major General and appointed as the Director at the Directorate of Oversight Compliance and Accountability.
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.
 Kenya Air Force changes
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 aDefensece Headquarters.
Kenya Navy
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.