In a reshuffle within the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), Brigadier Timothy Stelu Lekolool, former Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, has been promoted to the rank of Major General. The promotion places him a step away from the coveted three-star general rank (Lieutenant General), a position eligible for service commanders.
Major General Lekolool has been appointed Senior Directing Staff at the National Defence College, replacing Major General Victor Mburu, who left the position to pursue further studies in national security. Lekolool, a trailblazer, made history as the first ADC drawn from the Kenya Navy. He served as Uhuru’s ADC for several years and briefly continued in the role under President William Ruto before being succeeded by Colonel Fabian Lengusuranga.
Following his brief tenure with President Ruto, Lekolool was deployed to Defence Headquarters in October 2022. He is the son of the late Principal Commissioner Francis Lekolool.
Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya also announced a series of other senior promotions and appointments across the Kenya Army, Air Force, and Navy.
In the Kenya Army, Brigadiers Faustino Mancha Lobaly, Charles Lenjo Mwazighe, Mohamed Isak Iddi, Edward Rugendo, and Richard Wambua Mwanzia have all been promoted to Major General, assuming various leadership roles such as Director of National Defence Security Industries and Director of DOCA.
In the Kenya Air Force, Colonels Herbert Mabele Wafula, Ismail Guhad Noor, Victor Waithaka Kang’ethe, and Rodah Mkavita Mwasigwa were elevated to Brigadiers, taking command positions at Moi Airbase, National Air Support Department, Kenya Ordnance Factories, and Defence Headquarters respectively.
In the Navy, Colonels Ronald Mesa Makori and Peter Musili Muthungu were promoted to Brigadiers. Additionally, Lieutenant Colonels Wilfrida Atieno Omalo and Safari Katana Kalume were promoted to Colonels and assigned leadership roles within the Navy Logistics and Joint Warfare Centre.
These changes reflect ongoing efforts to strengthen leadership and operational efficiency across KDF’s three branches.
