By Rosette Stacy
President William Samoei Ruto, Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), has made several top-level military promotions and appointments following recommendations by the Defence Council.
Major General David Kipkemboi Ketter has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General and appointed Commander of the Kenya Army.
He takes over from Lieutenant General David Kimaiyo Chemwaina Tarus, who has been redeployed to the National Defence University – Kenya (NDU-K) as Vice Chancellor.
Before his promotion, Lt. Gen. Ketter served as the Assistant Chief of Defence Forces in charge of Personnel and Logistics.
Major General Benard Waliaula has been appointed Commander of the Kenya Air Force. He replaces Major General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed, whose 42 years of military service have come to a close.
Previously, Maj. Gen. Waliaula served as the Director of Defence National Security Industries.
Brigadier Joel Muriungi M’arimi has been promoted to Major General and appointed Commandant of the Kenya Military Academy.
He previously held the position of Commander of the Armoured Brigade.
Brigadier Joyce Chelang’at Sitienei has also been promoted to Major General and appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor for the Centre for Strategic and Security Studies at NDU-K.
She formerly served as Director of the International Peace Support Centre.
“These promotions are a testament to the professionalism and dedication of our men and women in uniform,” said President Ruto.
“We honour those who have served with distinction and entrust the next generation of leaders to continue safeguarding our nation’s security,” he added.
The new appointments are expected to strengthen leadership within the KDF and support ongoing efforts to modernize the country’s defence sector.