President William Ruto has announced a raft of promotions, appointments and deployments within the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), marking a significant reshuffle in the military’s senior leadership.
The changes, announced on Friday following recommendations from the Defence Council, affect officers across the Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force and Kenya Navy.
Among the key appointments, Major General John Maiso Nkoimo has been named the new Deputy Commander of the Kenya Army, succeeding Major General Mohamed Nur Hassan, who has retired from service.
Before his elevation, Major General Nkoimo served as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Central Command.
The President also named Brigadier Mohamud Salah Farah as the Deputy Air Force Commander. Farah was just running the Laikipia Air Base before that.
Over in the Kenya Army, things got switched up too. Brigadier William Kamoiro became a Major General. He took over as GOC Central Command from Nkoimo, who got the bigger promotion.
Another move involved Brigadier Peter Kipketer Limo. He joined the big league as a Major General, stepping in as the Assistant Chief of Defence Forces for Personnel and Logistics.
This shuffle put Limo where Major General Edward Rugendo used to be. Rugendo left that spot to take over as the Managing Director of the Defence Forces Welfare Services. Limo actually held that very role prior to his previous assignment.
In another notable decision, President Ruto approved a one-year extension of the tenure of Kenya Navy Commander Major General Paul Owuor Otieno, acting on recommendations from the Defence Council.
The changes also saw Brigadier Francis Njoroge Kuria promoted to Major General and appointed Director of Medical Services within the Kenya Army.
At the same time, Colonel Mark Joseph Awala was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Operations at Kenya Army Headquarters, while Colonel Makonani Balata rose to the rank of Brigadier and was named Commander of Langata Garrison.
Colonel Asma Diramo Kofa was also elevated to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Provost at the Directorate of Oversight, Compliance and Accountability.
Within the Kenya Air Force, Colonel Peter Karigih Kariuki earned promotion to Brigadier and was appointed College Secretary at the National Defence College.
Colonel Benedetta Margaret Kikechi was similarly promoted to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Research and Development at the Defence National Security Industries.
The latest changes also saw Lieutenant Colonel Bernadette Awar Eyanae promoted to the rank of Colonel and appointed Colonel Plans and Programmes at the International Peace Support Training Centre.
The appointments and promotions are expected to strengthen leadership across the KDF as the military continues to implement its operational, administrative and strategic mandates.