Ruto Makes 23 Appointments, Promotions To KDF [LIST]

In the appointments, President Ruto appointed Major General Stephen Mutuku as the Deputy Commandant at the National Defence College.

Ruto Makes 23 Appointments, Promotions To KDF [LIST]
President William Ruto during the KDF pass-out parade in Uasin Gishu County on May 15, 2024. /PCS

President William Ruto on Wednesday, July 24 made a series of promotions and postings touching on the respected Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

The changes were announced in a statement, and touched on the three arms of KDF; the Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force and Kenya Navy, and were made following recommendations by the Defence Council.

This was after Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, the acting CS in all ministries, chaired a Defence Council meeting.

“On the advice of the Defence Council Chaired by Prime Cabinet Secretary and acting Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Defence Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, upheld the Council's recommendations and made various promotions, postings and appointments of Kenya Defence Forces Officers,” read the statement in part.

KDF officers on patrol in Nairobi CBD. /LARRY MADOWO

In the appointments, President Ruto appointed Major General Stephen Mutuku as the Deputy Commandant at the National Defence College. Let us take a look at the appointments across the three arms of KDF:

KENYA ARMY

In the Kenya Army, Ruto promoted Colonel Edward Ondabu Nyamao to Brigadier and named him Chief of Compensation and Welfare at DHQ.

The Head of State promoted Clement Kimaiga Nyakundi to Brigadier and appointed Deputy Managing Director of Kenya Meat Commission.

Victor Mburu was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Commander of Combat Engineers Brigade and Eric Kitusya was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Logistics (HQ KA).

Others promoted from colonel to brigadier include; Salaash Kantai (Commander of Military Intelligence Corps), Edward Banda (Brigade Commander 8 Brigade), Jackson Lemakara (Commander of Embakasi Garrison), Charles Ochieng (Chief of Naval Medical Services) and Yusuf Adan (Chief of Communication Information System DHQ)

Lieutenant Colonel Reverend Jane Muringi was promoted to Colonel and appointed as the Service Chaplain.

KENYA AIR FORCE

President Ruto promoted Colonel Bernard Oluoch to brigadier in the Kenya Airforce and appointed the Base Commander at Moi Air Base.

He also promoted Eutychus Nyawira and Nehemiah Kemei from colonel to brigadier and appointed them as Head of Training Support and Research at NDC and Chief Executive Officer of the Defence SACCO respectively.

President Ruto promoted Lieutenant Colonel Mary Kamau to Colonel and appointed her the Colonel of Finance and Audit at Defence National Security Industries.

KENYA NAVY

In the Kenya Navy, Brigadier John Sankale Kiswaa was appointed as the Deputy Commander of the Kenya Navy.

Brigadier Peter Shikukuu Chelimo was appointed Director of the Centre for Security and Strategic Studies at the National Defence University Kenya. 

Colonel Lazarus Wafula was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Base Commander, Kenya Navy Base in Manda.

Colonel Abraham Biwott was promoted to Brigadier and appointed the Base Commander, of Kenya Navy Base in Mtongwe.

Mohamed Shemote was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Base Commander, of the Kenya Navy Fleet while Marcella Kanani Aritho was promoted to Colonel and appointed Deputy Commander of the Kenya Navy Fleet.

"Additionally, other changes have been made across the Kenya Defence Forces in line with the advice of the Defence Council," the statement added.

A photo of Kenya Air Force jets. /KENYA DEFENCE FORCES