President William Ruto on Friday, June 27 made leadership changes in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), in turn appointing new Kenya Army and Air Force Commanders. Major General Benard Waliaula was appointed to replace Major General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed as the new Commander Kenya Air Force.
This was after Maj. Gen Fatuma Ahmed’s term of service came to an end after 42 years of service.
Until his appointment as Commander Kenya Air Force, Maj. Gen Waliaula was the Director of Defence National Security Industries.
Profile of Major General Benard Waliaula
He has also been a member of the Kenya Space Agency Board, Base Commander at Laikipia Air Base, Deputy Air Force Commander, and Managing Director at Kenya Ordnance Factories (KOFC).
Maj. Gen Waliaula has held other positions including Senior Directing Staff at the National Defence College, Commandant Defence Staff College and Chairman Defence Forces Pensions Appeals Tribunal.
Also Read: Ruto Makes Changes in KDF, Appoints New Army and Air Force Commanders
He holds a Master of Science in National Security Strategy from the National Defence University, China and a master’s degree in military Operational Art and Science Studies from Air University.
The new Commander Kenya Air Force replaces Maj. Fatuma Ahmed who hit headlines in May 2024 following her promotion and appointment as the first female commander of KDF’s Air Force wing.
Before this appointment, Fatuma Ahmed served as the Senior Directing Staff Air at the National Defence College from May 2023 having been enlisted in the KDF in 1983.
Former Uhuru aide-de-camp promoted
Another prominent figure featuring in the changes made by President Ruto is Brigadier Timothy Stelu Lekolool who served as aide-de-camp of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The Kenya Navy officer was promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed as Senior Directing Staff at National Defence College.
Also Read: Meet Joyce Sitienei, Kenya’s Top KDF Officer Appointed DVC National Defence University
On the recommendations from the Defence Council, chaired by the Defence Cabinet Secretary Roselinda Soipan Tuya, President Ruto also promoted and appointed Brigadier 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 Brigadier Joyce Chelang’at Sitienei to the rank of Major General 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 Intenational Peace Support Centre.
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