President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday announced major changes and appointments he had made in the Kenya Defence Forces as he prepares to exit office after the August 9, general election.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Ministry of Defence, Uhuru’s decision to make the changes was informed by the proceedings of a joint meeting of the Defence Council, which Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa chaired.

In the fresh changes, Uhuru promoted 22 senior military officers and moved others to new positions.

The new changes have affected all the compositions of the KDF from the Kenya Army, Kenya Airforce and the Kenya Navy.


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Uhuru’s former aide-de-camp Major General Peter Mbogo Njiru has been promoted to Lieutenant General and appointed the new Commander of the Kenya Army.

Njiru replaces Lieutenant General Walter Koipaton who has retired after a four tour on duty.

Major General Peter Mbogo Njiru. PHOTO/COURTESY

Brigadiers David Kimaiyo Chemwaina Tarus, Jurna Shee Mwinyikai, Fredrick Leuria and Mungai Nyaga fro the Kenya army have all been promoted to Major General positions and assigned fresh roles.

Kimaiyo has been named the General Officer Commanding Western Command while Mwinyikai the GO Commanding Eastern Command and Leuria the new Assistant Chief of Defence Forces in charge of Operations, Plans, Doctrine and Training.

The new Force Commander in the East African Community Regional Force for DRC is Nyaga.

Brigadier Benard Waliaula was promoted to Major General assuming the Director of Defence National Security Industries position in the Airforce.

The following is how the change of guard affected other senior officers:

In the Kenya Army

  1. Col William Kamoiro to Brigadier and appointed Commander Second Brigade.
  2. Col Ahmed Mohamed Saman was to Brigadier and appointed Commander Special Operations Brigade.
  3. Col Joel Muriungi M'Arimi to Brigadier and appointed Commandant of the Recruits Training School.
  4. Col Joseph Doughlas Mokwena to Brigadier and appointed Chief of System at Defence Headquarters.
  5. Col David Kiprotich Chesire to Brigadier and appointed Commander 8 Brigade.
  6. Col Alice Muringo Mate to Brigadier and remains in the Legal Branch at Defence Headquarters.
  7. Col (Dr) David Kimeli Chepsiror to Brigadier and appointed Chief Medical Officer, Isiolo Regional Hospital.
  8. Col Charles Ndirangu Mathenge to Brigadier and appointed Managing Director, Defence Forces Food Processing Factory.

In the Kenya Airforce

  1. Col Mohammed Salah Farah to Brigadier and appointed Base Commander, Laikipia Air Base.
  2. Col Mohamed Dahir Ali to Brigadier and appointed Principal, Defence Forces Technical College.
  3. Col (Dr) Justino Mutisya Muinde to Brigadier and appointed Chief Medical Officer, Eldoret Regional Hospital.
  4. Col Apollo Ogola Aloka to Brigadier and appointed Senior Directing Staff Air, National Defence College.
  5. Col Hillary Biwott Kipkosgey to Brigadier and appointed Director Kenya Space Agency.
  6. Col Ziporah Kalondu Kioko to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Strategic Communication, at the Defence Headquarters.

In the Kenya Navy

  1. Col John Wekesa Khaoya to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Welfare and Compensation, at the Defence Headquarters.
  2. Col Timothy Stelu Lekolool to Brigadier and remain ADC to His Excellency the President.