President Uhuru Kenyatta has made changes in the military by promoting 22 senior military officers and appointing some of them to new positions.
The changes made by the head of state cut across the Kenya Army, Navy and Air Force.
Moreover, president Uhuru’s former aide-de-camp (ADC) Major General Peter Mbogo Njiru, has been promoted to Lieutenant General and appointed the new Commander of the Kenya Army.
Major General Njiru comes in to replace the outgoing Lt Gen Walter Koipaton who retires on completion of his four-year tenure.
Similarly, in the Kenya Army, Brigadiers David Kimaiyo Chemwaina Tarus, Jurna Shee Mwinyikai, Fredrick Leuria and Mungai Nyaga, have been promoted to Major General positions and handed new duties.
David Kimaiyo is now the General Officer Commanding Western Command, Jurna Mwinyikai the GO Commanding Eastern Command and Fredrick Leuria the new Assistant Chief of Defence Forces in charge of Operations, Plans, Doctrine and Training.
Likewise, Mungai Nyaga is the new Force Commander in the East African Community Regional Force for DRC.
Moreover, in the Air Force, Brigadier Benard Waliaula has been promoted to Major General assuming the Director of Defence National Security Industries position.
In addition, the Ministry of Defence, through a statement issued on Wednesday, July 2o stated that President Uhuru Kenyatta’s decision to have changes in the military came after a joint meeting of the Defence Council, chaired by Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa.
Listed below are other senior officers affected by the change of guard;
Kenya Army
- Col William Kamoiro to Brigadier and appointed Commander Second Brigade.
- Col Ahmed Mohamed Saman to Brigadier and appointed Commander Special Operations Brigade.
- Col Joel Muriungi M’Arimi to Brigadier and appointed Commandant of the Recruits Training School.
- Col Joseph Doughlas Mokwena to Brigadier and appointed Chief of System at Defence Headquarters.
- Col David Kiprotich Chesire to Brigadier and appointed Commander 8 Brigade.
- Col Alice Muringo Mate to Brigadier and remains in the Legal Branch at Defence Headquarters.
- Col (Dr) David Kimeli Chepsiror to Brigadier and appointed Chief Medical Officer, Isiolo Regional Hospital.
- Col Charles Ndirangu Mathenge to Brigadier and appointed Managing Director, Defence Forces Food Processing Factory.
Kenya Airforce
- Col Mohammed Salah Farah to Brigadier and appointed Base Commander, Laikipia Air Base.
- Col Mohamed Dahir Ali to Brigadier and appointed Principal, Defence Forces Technical College.
- Col (Dr) Justino Mutisya Muinde to Brigadier and appointed Chief Medical Officer, Eldoret Regional Hospital.
- Col Apollo Ogola Aloka to Brigadier and appointed Senior Directing Staff Air, National Defence College.
- Col Hillary Biwott Kipkosgey to Brigadier and appointed Director Kenya Space Agency.
- Col Ziporah Kalondu Kioko to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Strategic Communication, at the Defence Headquarters.
Kenya Navy
- Col John Wekesa Khaoya to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Welfare and Compensation, at the Defence Headquarters.
- Col Timothy Stelu Lekolool to Brigadier and remain ADC to His Excellency the President.
Furthermore, the ministry noted that similar military changes had been made across the Kenya Defence Forces in line with the advice of the Defence Council.
