President William Ruto has undertaken a sweeping reorganization of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), instituting a raft of high-profile promotions and appointments aimed at reinforcing leadership across the Kenya Army, Air Force, and Navy.
At the helm of the changes is Major General David Kipkemboi Ketter, who has been promoted to Lieutenant General and appointed Commander of the Kenya Army. He replaces Lt. Gen. David Kimaiyo Chemwaina Tarus, who has been redeployed to serve as Vice Chancellor of the National Defence University – Kenya (NDU-K).
In the Kenya Air Force, Major General Benard Waliaula takes over as Commander, succeeding Major General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed, who has retired after a distinguished four-decade career.
The shake-up also sees Brigadier Joel Muriungi M’arimi promoted to Major General and appointed as the Commandant of the Kenya Military Academy, while Brigadier Joyce Chelang’at Sitienei ascends to the rank of Major General and takes on the role of Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Centre for Strategic and Security Studies at NDU-K.
These changes were made on the advice of the Defence Council, chaired by Defence Cabinet Secretary Roselinda Soipan Tuya. The appointments reflect the President’s intent to inject renewed dynamism into the country’s defence forces, enhance training institutions, and bolster security command structures.
In the Kenya Army, several key promotions were effected. Brigadiers Faustino Mancha, Charles Lenjo Mwazighe, Mohamed Isak Iddi, Edward Rugendo, and Richard Wambua Mwanzia were all elevated to the rank of Major General and assigned to senior leadership roles. Colonels Said Mwacharo and Meshack Kishoyian were promoted to Brigadier and placed in charge of infrastructure and brigade command, respectively. Additionally, Colonels Herbert Wafula, Ismail Noor, Victor Kang’ethe, and Rodah Mwasigwa were promoted to Brigadier with roles in command and departmental leadership.
The Kenya Navy also witnessed major shifts, with Brigadier Timothy Lekolool promoted to Major General. Colonels Ronald Makori, Peter Muthungu, Wilfrida Omolo, and Safari Kalume were promoted and appointed to vital operational and logistical posts.
The reshuffle underscores President Ruto’s commitment to professionalizing and modernizing the KDF in line with Kenya’s evolving security landscape.
