By Rosette Stacy
Major General Bernard Waliaula has officially taken over the position of the new Commander of the Kenya Air Force (KAF) from Major General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed.
He was commissioned by His Excellency Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces. Major General Waliaula is the 18th Commander of the Kenya Air Force.
Before his new appointment, he served as the Director General of Defence National Security Industries (DNSI), a key position in the Defence Forces.
The Change of Guard was the culmination of a week-long handover program, in which top KAF officials had visited all the major Kenya Air Force bases such as Moi Air Base, Laikipia Air Base, Wajir Air Base, and Embakasi Air Base.
The visits facilitated transition of command and gave both commanders a chance to interact with the KAF personnel directly.
Major General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed retires after 40 years of dedicated service in the Kenya Defence Forces. She had the honor of being the first female to hold the position of a Service Commander in the KDF.
Speaking in her address, she said, “I hand over to you a Force that is loyal, highly skilled, and committed. I have full confidence in your leadership and wish you every success as you take this great institution to the next level.”
Major General Waliaula thanked the outgoing Maj Gen for the foundation that he had laid and appealed for unity in the ranks.
“Your leadership has laid a strong foundation, and it is now our collective duty to build on it with discipline, professionalism, and commitment to the mission of defending our skies,” he stated.
The ceremony was attended by top KDF commanders, Principal Staff Officers, officers, and staff from across the Kenya Air Force.