William Ruto Appoints General Charles Muriu Kahariri New Chief Of Defence Forces

• Until his promotion and appointment as the Chief of Defence Forces, Kahariri was General Francis Ogolla's vice
• President William Ruto, who is the Commander-in-Chief of all the Defence Forces, promoted Lieutenant General Charles Kahariri to General, then appointed him CDF
• The head of state also promoted Major General John Mugaravai Omenda to Lieutenant General and appointed him vice Chief of Defence Forces

Michael Ollinga is a journalist at TUKO.co.ke with over 10 years of experience covering courts and crimes, special reports, and current affairs in Kenya.

President William Ruto has appointed a new Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) two weeks after General Francis Ogolla died in a helicopter crash.

Who is Charles Kahariri?

In a statement to the public, Ruto promoted Kahariri, who was Ogolla's vice, as the substantive CDF.

"The president of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, pursuant to section 9 (2) of the Kenya DFefence Forces Act, has today promoted Lieutenant General Charles Muriu Kahariri to the rank of General and appointed him the Chief of Defence Forces," read the statement.

The president has also promoted Major General John Mugaravai Omenda to the rank of Lieutenant General and appointed him vice chief of Defence Forces.

Until his appointment, Lieutenant General Mugaravai was the Kenya Air Force Commander.

Kenya's highest ranking female KDF officer

Further, the president has posted Major General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed to the Kenya Air Force and appointed her commander.

Fatuma Gaiti became the highest ranking female military personnel in 2015, after former president Uhuru Kenyatta promoted her to the Major General rank.

According to the changes, Ruto posted Major General Paul Owuor Otieno to Kenya Navy and appointed him the Commander of the unit.

Subsequently, on the advice of the Defence Council, chaired by Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Ruto upheld the council’s recommendations and made various promotions, postings, and appointments of Kenya Defence Forces.

Who is the deputy vice-chancellor National Defence University?

In the recommendations, Major General Thomas Njoroge Ng’ang’a was posted to the National Defence University and appointed deputy vice chancellor Administration and Finance.

Brigadier Peter Nyamu Githinji was promoted to Major general and appointed Senior Directing Staff, Air and National Defence College

Brigadier Jattani Kampare Gula was promoted to Major General and appointed Managing Director Kenya Meat Commission.

Brigadier George Okumu was also promoted to Major General and appointed Managing Director Kenya Ordinance Factories Corporation and Food processing Factory.

Ruto also appointed Brigadier Samuel Kosgei Kipkorir the deputy commander of the Kenya Air Force.

How KDF promotion happens

TUKO.co.ke, quoting former military boss, retired General Daudi Rerimoi Tonje, reported that Kahariri automatically acted as Ogolla's replacement in acting capacity.

Tonje clarified that there was no vacuum in the Kenya Defence Forces command and that Kahariri enjoyed CDF powers after Ogolla passed away, until the Commander-in-Chief finally settled on him to be the substantive CDF.

The promotion has adhered to Tonje's rules that recommended rotation of CDF appointment around the three KDF units; Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force and Kenya Navy.

Ogolla was a Kenya Air Force officer and now the turn to be CDF has moved to Kenya Navy, meaning the next Chief of Defence Forces will come from the Kenya Army, if Tonje rules are upheld.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.