Military changes; Ruto names Lt Gen Ketter as Army commander in changes
Lieutenant General David Kipkemboi Ketter, Commander Kenya Army
President William Ruto on Friday named a new Army commander in changes within the Kenya Defense Forces.
This follows a defense council meeting on Monday that promoted Maj Gen David Kipkemboi Ketter to Lieutenant General and appointed him as the Commander Kenya Army. Ruto upheld the appointment.
He replaces Lt Gen David Kimaiyo Chemwaina Tarus who redeployed to National Defence University – Kenya (NDU -K) as the Vice Chancellor.
Until his appointment as Commander Kenya Army, Lt Gen Ketter was the Assistant Chief of Defence Forces in charge of Personnel and Logistics.
This puts him an arm away from succeeding Gen Charles Kahariri as the Chief of Defence Forces.
According to the Tonje Rules, it is the Kenya Army that is supposed to take over after the Navy where Gen Kahariri belongs.
Ruto also appointed Maj Gen Benard Waliaula as the Commander Kenya Air Force.
Maj Gen Benard Waliaula replaces Maj Gen Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed whose term of service has come to an end after 42 years of service.
Until his appointment as Commander Kenya Air Force, Maj Gen Benard Waliaula was the Director of Defence National Security Industries.
Ruto also promoted and appointed Brig Joel Muriungi M’arimi to the rank of Major General and appointed him Commandant Kenya Military Academy.
Until his appointment as Commandant Kenya Military Academy, he was the Commander Armoured Brigade.
Further, the President promoted and appointed Brig Joyce Chelang’at Sitienei to the rank of Maj Gen and appointed her Deputy Vice Chancellor Centre for Strategic and Security Studies at National Defence University – Kenya (NDU -K).
Until her promotion and appointment, she was the Director International Peace Support Centre.
Further, on the advice of the Defence Council Chaired by Cabinet Secretary for Defence Roselinda Soipan Tuya, the President upheld the Council’s recommendations and made various promotions, postings and appointments of Kenya Defence Forces Officers.
Brig Faustino Mancha Lobaly was promoted to Major General and appointed Director National Defence Security Industries while Brig Charles Lenjo Mwazighe Promoted to Maj Gen and appointed Director International Peace Support Centre.
Brigadier Mohamed Isak Iddi was promoted to Major General and appointed Director at the Directorate of Oversight, Compliance and Accountability (DOCA) while Brigadier Edward Rugendo was promoted to Major General and appointed Director of Personnel and Logistics.
Brigadier Richard Wambua Mwanzia was promoted to Major General and appointed Senior Directing Staff Army at National Defence College while Colonel Said Mohamed Mwacharo was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Infrastructure.
Brig Timothy Stelu Lekolool was promoted to Major General and appointed Senior Directing Staff at National Defence College while Brig Timothy Stelu Lekolool promoted to Major General and appointed Senior Directing Staff at National Defence College.
Further, Colonel Meshack Sinkira Kishoyian was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Commander 6 Brigade while Colonel Ronald Mesa Makori was promoted to Brig and appointed Chief of Strategic Plans and Policy.
Col Herbert Mabele Wafula was promoted to Brig and appointed Base Commander Moi Airbase while Col Ismail Guhad Noor was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Deputy Managing Director at Kenya Ordinance Factories Limited and Food Processing Factory.
Col Victor Waithaka Kang’ethe was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Director National Air Support Department (NASD).
Colonel Peter Musili Muthungu was promoted to Brig and appointed Head of Production at Kenya Shipyard Limited while Lt Col Wilfrida Atieno Omolo was promoted to Colonel and appointed Commander Kenya Navy Logistics.
Lieutenant Colonel Safari Katana Kalume was promoted to Colonel and appointed Senior Directing Staff Navy Joint Warfare Centre.