Lieutenant General Charles Muriu Kahariri has replaced the late General Francis Ogolla as the new Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).

This comes after President William Ruto on Thursday, May 2 promoted Lieutenant General Kahariri to the rank of General, before appointing him the new CDF.

General Kahariri takes over from General Ogolla who died alongside 9 other military officers in a tragic plane crash last month.

President Ruto also promoted Major General John Mugaravai Omenda to the rank of Lieutenant General and appointed him Vice Chief of the Defence Forces.

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

Further, the President has posted Major General Fatuma Gait Ahmed to Kenya Air Force and appointed her Commander.

Similarly, Major General Paul Owuor Otieno has been posted to Kenya Navy and appointed Commander.

Subsequently, on the advice of the Defence Council Chaired by Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Bare Duale, the President has upheld the Council’s recommendations and made various promotions, postings and appointments of Kenya Defence Forces Officers as follows:

1. Major General Thomas Nioroge Ng’ang’a – Posted to National Defence University and appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration and Finance.
2. Brigadier Peter Nyamu Githinji – Promoted to Major General and appointed Senior Directing Staff, Air at National Defence College.
3. Brigadier Jattani Kampare Gula – Promoted to Major General and appointed Managing Director Kenya Meat Commission.
4. Brigadier George Okumu – Promoted to Major General and appointed Managing Director Kenya Ordnance Factories Corporation and Food Processing Factory.
5. Brigadier Samuel Kosgei Kipkorir – Appointed Deputy Commander Kenya Air Force.

These changes have been made across the Kenya Defence Forces in line with the advice of the Defence Council.