NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has made sweeping changes within the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), promoting top officers and appointing new commanders to lead the Kenya Army and Air Force, in one of the most significant military reshuffles in recent years.
Announced on Thursday, the changes were made on the advice of the Defence Council chaired by Defence Cabinet Secretary Roselinda Soipan Tuya.
In the most high-profile shift, Major General David Kipkemboi Ketter was promoted to Lieutenant General and appointed Commander of the Kenya Army, replacing Lieutenant General David Kimaiyo Chemwaina Tarus.
Lt Gen Tarus has been redeployed to the National Defence University – Kenya (NDU-K) as Vice Chancellor. Until his promotion, Ketter served as the Assistant Chief of Defence Forces in charge of Personnel and Logistics.
The Air Force also has a new chief. Major General Benard Waliaula takes over as Commander of the Kenya Air Force, succeeding Major General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed, who exits after a distinguished 42-year career. Waliaula previously served as Director of Defence National Security Industries.
The reshuffle extended to other key leadership roles:
- Brigadier Joel Muriungi M’arimi was promoted to Major General and named Commandant of the Kenya Military Academy. He previously led the Armoured Brigade.
- Brigadier Joyce Chelang’at Sitienei rose to the rank of Major General and was appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor at the Centre for Strategic and Security Studies at NDU-K. She was formerly the Director of the International Peace Support Centre.
New Generals and Senior Officers
The President also promoted several senior officers across the Army, Air Force, and Navy:
Kenya Army
- Brigadier Faustino Mancha Lobaly: Promoted to Major General, now Director, National Defence Security Industries
- Brigadier Charles Lenjo Mwazighe: Promoted to Major General, appointed Director, International Peace Support Centre
- Brigadier Mohamed Isak Iddi: Promoted to Major General, appointed Director, Directorate of Oversight, Compliance and Accountability (DOCA)
- Brigadier Edward Rugendo: Promoted to Major General, appointed Director of Personnel and Logistics
- Brigadier Richard Wambua Mwanzia: Promoted to Major General, appointed Senior Directing Staff Army, National Defence College
- Colonel Said Mohamed Mwacharo: Promoted to Brigadier, appointed Chief of Infrastructure
- Colonel Meshack Sinkira Kishoyian: Promoted to Brigadier, appointed Commander, 6 Brigade
Kenya Air Force
- Colonel Herbert Mabele Wafula: Promoted to Brigadier, appointed Base Commander, Moi Airbase
- Colonel Ismail Guhad Noor: Promoted to Brigadier, appointed Deputy Managing Director, Kenya Ordnance Factories and Food Processing Factory
- Colonel Victor Waithaka Kang’ethe: Promoted to Brigadier, appointed Director, National Air Support Department (NASD)
- Colonel Rodah Mkavita Mwasigwa: Promoted to Brigadier, appointed Chief of Compensation and Welfare, Defence Headquarters
Kenya Navy
- Brigadier Timothy Stelu Lekolool: Promoted to Major General, appointed Senior Directing Staff, National Defence College
- Colonel Ronald Mesa Makori: Promoted to Brigadier, appointed Chief of Strategic Plans and Policy
- Colonel Peter Musili Muthungu: Promoted to Brigadier, appointed Head of Production, Kenya Shipyard Limited
- Lt Colonel Wilfrida Atieno Omolo: Promoted to Colonel, appointed Commander, Kenya Navy Logistics
- Lt Colonel Safari Katana Kalume: Promoted to Colonel, appointed Senior Directing Staff Navy, Joint Warfare Centre
The Defence Ministry said the promotions reflect a deliberate effort to strengthen leadership across all arms of the military and enhance strategic preparedness amid growing national and regional security responsibilities.
