Kenya’s President, William Ruto, announced the promotion of Lieutenant General Charles Muriu Kahariri to become the country’s Chief of the Defense Forces (CDF). Kahariri’s new title is General Kahariri.
The position of Kenya’s CDF fell vacant following the demise of former CDF, General Francis Ogolla, through a helicopter accident.
Before the president, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Forces, accorded Kahariri his latest promotion, the new chief was the Vice-Chief of the Defense Forces.
Other Promotions of the Day
On May 2nd 2024 when President Ruto announced the promotion of Charles Kahariri, he also announced other promotions.
Kenya’s new Vice-Chief of the Defense Forces is John Mugaravai Ornenda, whose appointment came with a new rank – from Major General to Lieutenant General.
Before Lieutenant General Ornenda’s new position, he was the Commander of the Kenya Air Force.
The new Commander of the Kenya Air Force is Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed. Before her appointment, Air Force Commander Fatuma Ahmed was a Major General, who was also a Battalion’s 2nd in Command.
The Kenya Navy also got a new Commander, Major General Paul Owuor Otieno.
Other promotions of the day included that of Thomas Njoroge Ng’ang’a, a Major General. He is now the Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the National Defense University and will be in charge of Administration and Finance.
Kenya’s National Defense College, which is part of the National Defense University, now has a new Senior Directing Staff, Air. This is Major General Peter Nyamu Githinji, who was previously a Brigadier.
President William Ruto made the Defense Forces promotions and appointments on the recommendation of the Kenya Defense Council. This council deliberates on such important matters under the chairmanship of the Defense Cabinet Secretary. This time, the Defense Cabinet Secretary is Aden Duale.
Of all the day’s developments, the most impressive was the appointment of Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed. She has made history as the first female Defense Forces Commander.