Change of Guard: President Ruto makes 23 new appointments, promotions in KDF

In a notice on Wednesday, the head of state made new appointments, postings and promotions for 23 individuals from across the KenyaArmy, the Air Force, and the Navy.

“His Excellency 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, on the advice of the Defence Council Chaired by Prime Cabinet Secretary and acting Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Defence Musalia Mudavadi, upheld the Council's recommendations and made various promotions, postings and appointments of Kenya Defence Forces Officers as follows,” read the notice.

Among the top changes include the appointment of Major General Stephen James Mutuku as the new Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College. 

Below is the list of all the 22 officers and their new roles across the three KDF subdivisions.

KENYA ARMY 

1. Colonel Edward Morris Ondabu Nyamao -Promoted to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Compensation and Welfare (DHQ). 
2. Colonel Collins Otieno Mitoko - Promoted to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Personnel (HQ KA). 
3. Colonel Paul Kiplimo Koech - Promoted to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Training. 
4. Colonel Clement Kimaiga Nyakundi - Promoted to Brigadier and appointed Deputy Managing Director of Kenya Meat Commission. 
5. Colonel Victor Ndegwa Mburu - Promoted to Brigadier and appointed Commander of Combat Engineers Brigade. 
6. Colonel Eric Nzioki Kitusya - Promoted to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Logistics (HQ KA). 
7. Colonel Salaash Kantai - Promoted to Brigadier and appointed Commander Military Intelligence Corps. 
8. Colonel Edward Willy Banda - Promoted to Brigadier and appointed Brigade Commander 8 Brigade. 
9. Colonel Jackson Lesaiyo Lemakara - Promoted to Brigadier and appointed Commander Embakasi Garrison. 
10. Colonel (Dr) Charles Ondego Ochieng - Promoted to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Naval Medical Services. 
11. Colonel Yusuf Hussein Adan - Promoted to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Communication Information System DHQ. 
12. Lieutenant Colonel (Rev) Jane Wairimu Muringi - Promoted to Colonel and appointed Service Chaplain. 

KENYA AIR FORCE 

1. Colonel Bernard Markie Oluoch -Promoted to Brigadier and appointed Base Commander, at Moi Air Base. 
2. Colonel Eutychus Ndegwa Nyawira - Promoted to Brigadier and appointed Head of Training Support and Research at NDC. 
3. Colonel Nehemiah Kemei - Promoted to Brigadier and appointed CEO of Defence SACCO. 
4. Lieutenant Colonel Mercy Wairimu Kamau - Promoted to Colonel and appointed Colonel of Finance and Audit — Defence National Security Industries.

KENYA NAVY 

1. Brigadier John Sankale Kiswaa - Appointed Deputy Commander Kenya Navy. 
2. Brigadier Peter Shikukuu Chelimo -Appointed Director of Centre for Security and Strategic Studies - National Defence University Kenya. 
3. Colonel Lazarus Patroba Wafula - Promoted to Brigadier and appointed Base Commander, Kenya Navy Base - Mande. 
4. Colonel Abraham Kipchirchir Biwott - Promoted to Brigadier and appointed Base Commander, Kenya Navy Base — Mtongwe. 
5. Colonel Mohamed Shee Shemote - Promoted to Brigadier and appointed Base Commander of, Kenya Navy Fleet. 
6. Lieutenant Colonel Marcella Kananu Aritho - Promoted to Colonel and appointed Deputy Commander, Kenya Navy Fleet. 

At the same time, other changes have been made across the military in line with the advice of the Defence Council.