President William Ruto has named Lieutenant General Charles Muriu Kahariri as the new Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) following the death of the late General Francis Ogolla.
The Ministry of Defense in a statement on May 2, 2024, announced the appointment noting that Kahariri has been promoted to the rank of General.
“His Excellency Hon Dr William Samoei Ruto, C.G.H, 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 Charles Muriu Kahariri to the rank of General and appointed him the Chief of the Defence Forces,” read part of the statement.
On the other hand, the Head of State has promoted Major General John Mugaravai Omenda to the rank of Lieutenant General in the new appointments.
Lt-Gen Mugaravai will assume the role of the Vice Chief of the Defence Forces (VCDF) following this promotion.
Also Read: General Opande: Man Who Almost Became First CDF From Luo Nyanza
The new VCDF has been acting as the Kenya Air Force (KAF) Commander until his appointment.
Other promotions
Furthermore, President Ruto has posted Major General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed to KAF and appointed her as the new Commander.
Major General Paul Owuor Otieno on the other hand has been appointed as the new Kenya Navy Commander after being posted to the Navy wing.
Subsequently, Ruto on the advice of the Defense Council Chaired by Defense Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale upheld the Council’s recommendations and made various Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) promotions, postings and appointments.
In the upheld recommendations, Major General Thomas Njoroge Ng’ang’a was appointed as Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Administration and Finance at the National Defence University, after being posted to the institution.
Major General Said Mohamed Farah on the other hand was appointed as Managing Director Kenya Shipyards Limited
Also Read: Why Ruto Appointed Francis Ogolla Chief of Defence Forces
Brigadier Peter Nyamu Githinji on the other hand, was promoted to Major General and appointed Senior Directing Staff, Air at National Defence College.
Also promoted to the position of Major General was Brigadier George Okumu who was appointed Managing Director of Kenya Ordnance Factories Corporation and Food Processing Factory.
Brigadier Yunis Sheikh Abdi was promoted to Major General and appointed Senior Directing Staff, Navy at National Defence College.
Brigadier Jattani Kampare Gula was also promoted to the rank of Major General and named as the new Managing Director of the Kenya Meat Commission (KMC).
Meanwhile, Brigadier Samuel Kosgei Kipkorir was appointed as Deputy Commander of Kenya Air Force.
Kahariri takes over
The appointment of a new CDF comes after the late General Ogolla was laid to rest at his home in Mor Village, Siaya County on Sunday, April 21, 2024, after meeting his untimely death in a KDF helicopter crash alongside nine other military officers.
General Ogolla had been serving as the Kenya Air Force Commander until his appointment as the CDF on April 29, 2023, following his promotion as a General a day before.
General Kahariri joins a list of high-ranking officers to have held the position in the country. Kenya now has had 12 heads of the military since independence, from Major General Rober Penfold who was the first ever, to the new CDF Kahariri.
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