President Ruto appoints Gen. Francis Ogolla as new Chief of Defence Forces

President William Ruto has now appointed Lt. General Francis Omondi Ogolla as the new Chief of Defence Forces, replacing General Robert Kariuki Kibochi whose tenure has come to an end.

General Ogolla was, until the appointment announced on Friday, serving as the Vice Chief of the Defence Forces (VCDF).

General Kibochi, according to a circular from the Ministry of Defence, exits after serving in the military for 44 years.

“His Excellency Dr. William Ruto, 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 Francis Omondi Ogolla to the rank of General and appointed him Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF),” read the circular.

President Ruto, in the military changes, also tapped National Defence University Vice Chancellor Lieutenant General Jonah Mwangi to step into Gen. Ogolla’s former role as VCDF.

He then promoted Major General Said Farah to Vice Chancellor of the National Defence University.

Brigadier David Kipkemboi Keter was promoted to Major General and appointed Assistant Chief of the Defence Forces Personnel and Logistics (ACDF P&L).

The Head of State promoted Brigadier Stephen James Mutuku to Major General and appointed him as Senior Directing Staff (Army) at the National Defence College.

Brigadier John Maison Nkoimo rises to Major General rank and has been appointed Commandant Joint Command Staff College (JCSC).

Brigadier Abdulkadir Mohammed Burje was elevated to Major General and takes up a new posting as Director Military Intelligence (DMI), while Brigadier Paul Owuor Otieno – also now a Major General – was appointed Managing Director at Kenya Shipyards Limited in the raft of changes.