Image: File
Lt Gen Charles Muriu Kahariri, the Vice Chief of Defence Forces (VCDF), has been promoted to the rank of General and appointed as the Chief of Defence Forces, succeeding Gen Francis Ogolla, who tragically passed away in a helicopter crash.
In the reshuffle, Maj Gen John Omenda, the Kenya Air Force commander, was promoted and appointed as the new VCDF.
Meanwhile, Maj Gen Fatuma Ahmed was appointed as the Kenya Air Force commander, replacing Maj Gen Omenda.
These changes were decided during a meeting of the Defense Council chaired by Defense Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.
Gen Kahariri's promotion is notable because, unlike past trends where military commanders typically served as service commanders, he did not have this experience.
He previously served as the Deputy Commander of the Kenya Navy and later was promoted and posted to the Defence College.
To ensure regional balance, Paul Otieno, the Managing Director of Kenya Shipyards Limited, was appointed as the Commander of the Kenya Navy, replacing Maj Gen Thomas Nganga.
Maj Gen Nganga was reassigned to the National Defence University as the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance.
In further appointments, Brig Peter Githinji was promoted to Maj Gen and named as a Senior Directing Staff at the National Defence College.
Brig George Okumu was also promoted to Maj Gen and appointed as the Managing Director of the Kenya Ordinance Factories Corporation and Food Processing Factory.
Additionally, Brig Samuel Kipkorir was appointed as the Deputy Commander of the Kenya Air Force.
