Major General Bernard Waliaula has officially taken over as the 18th Commander of the Kenya Air Force (KAF), following a ceremonial Change of Guard held on Friday, July 4, at the KAF Headquarters in Nairobi. He succeeds Major General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed, who retires after a groundbreaking 40-year career in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
Appointed by President William Ruto, Commander-in-Chief of the KDF, Waliaula’s elevation marks a new era for the Air Force. Prior to this appointment, he served as Director General of Defence National Security Industries (DNSI), where he oversaw strategic defense manufacturing initiatives.
The Change of Guard ceremony concluded a week-long transition process, during which both commanders toured key KAF installations, including Moi Air Base, Laikipia Air Base, Wajir Air Base, and Embakasi Air Base. These visits facilitated the formal transfer of command and allowed the outgoing and incoming leaders to engage directly with personnel to ensure operational continuity.
In a ceremony attended by senior military leadership, officers, and service members, the event marked both a farewell to a pioneering leader and a welcome to a new era of leadership.
Major General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed retires as a trailblazer, having made history as the first woman to serve as a Service Commander in the KDF. Her career has been widely celebrated for breaking gender barriers and inspiring future generations of military personnel.
“I hand over to you a Force that is loyal, highly skilled, and committed,” said Maj-Gen Ahmed during her farewell. “I have full confidence in your leadership.”
In his address, Major General Waliaula paid tribute to his predecessor’s historic service. “Your leadership has laid a strong foundation,” he said. “It is now our collective duty to build on it with discipline, professionalism, and commitment to the mission of defending our skies.”
As he assumes command, Major General Waliaula is expected to steer the Kenya Air Force through a rapidly evolving security landscape, upholding its core values of integrity, excellence, and patriotism.