President Uhuru Makes Major Changes in the Military Ahead of Retirement

President Kenyatta has made major changes in the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) ahead of his retirement later this year.

The changes cutting across the Kenya Army, Kenya Navy, and Kenya Air Force have seen 22 senior military officers promoted and appointed to new positions.

Major General Peter Mbogo Njiru, who previously served as Uhuru's aide-de-camp (ADC), has been promoted to Lieutenant General and appointed the new Commander of the Kenya Army to replace Lt Gen Walter Koipaton, who retires on completion of his four-year tenure.

Brigadiers David Kimaiyo Chemwaina Tarus, Jurna Shee Mwinyikai, Fredrick Leuria and Mungai Nyaga from Kenya Army have been promoted to Major General positions and handed new roles.

Kimaiyo becomes the General Officer Commanding Western Command, Mwinyikai the General Officer Commanding Eastern Command, Leuria the new Assistant Chief of Defense Forces in charge of Operations, Plans, Doctrine and Training while Nyaga is the new Force Commander in the East African Community Regional Force for DRC.

In the Kenya Air Force, Brigadier Benard Waliaula has been promoted to Major General and appointed new Director of Defense National Security Industries.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Defense Ministry said President Kenyatta's decision came after a joint meeting of the Defense Council, chaired by Defense Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa.

“Other changes have also been made across the Kenya Defence Forces in line with the advice of the Defense Council,” the ministry stated.