Ruto Promotes Francis Ogolla From Lieutenant General To Chief Of Defence Forces
Ogolla replaces General Robert Kibochi who is set to retire after 44 years.
Marvin Chege 
President William Ruto has promoted Lieutenant General Francis Omondi Ogolla to General and appointed him as the Chief of Defence Forces.
Ogolla replaces General Robert Kibochi who is set to retire after 44 years.
"His Excellency Dr William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, pursuant to Section 9 (2). (a) of the Kenya Defence Forces Act, has today promoted Lieutenant General Francis Omondi Ogolla to the rank of General and appointed him Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF).
The then Vice Chief of the Defence forces, Lt Francis Omondi Ogolla, before the Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee at Continental House in Nairobi on November 7, 2022, regarding the deployment of the KDF to the DRC. /DAILY NATION
"General Francis Omondi Ogolla replaces General Robert Kariuki Kibochi whose term of service has honourably come to an end after 44 years of illustrious military career," the statement read in part.
The promotion was among a list of appointments made by the President on the advice of the Defence Council, chaired by Aden Duale, Cabinet Secretary for Defence.
Other Appointments
President Ruto at the same time appointed Lieutenant General Jonah Mwangi as the Vice Chief of the Defence Forces (VCDF). Mwangi who previously served as the Vice-Chancellor, of the National Defence University-Kenya will be replaced by Major General Said Farah.
The Head of State promoted Brigadier David Kipkemboi Keter to Major General and appointed Assistant Chief of the Defence Forces Personnel and Logistics (ACDF P&L).
Brigadier Stephen Mutuku was promoted to Major General and appointed Senior Directing Staff (Army) National Defence College.
Brigadier John Maison Nkoimo was promoted to the Major General rank and will be the commandant of the Joint Command Staff College (JCSC).
President Ruto also Promoted Brigadier Abdulkadir Mohammed Burje and Brigadier Paul Owuor Otieno to the General rank and appointed them as Director of Military Intelligence (DMI) and Managing Director Kenya Shipyards Limited respectively.
Colonel Anthony Rotich was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Commander of the Military Intelligence Corps.
Colonel Alfred Mwihuri Gitonga was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Director National Military Coordination Center.
