Ruto appoints Francis Ogolla as Chief of Defence Forces

President William Ruto has promoted Lieutenant General Francis Omondi Ogolla to the rank of General and appointed him Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF) for a four-year term in new military changes.

In a statement on Friday, April 28, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) said the Head of State had picked Francis Ogolla to replace General Robert Kariuki Kibochi, whose term of service has come to an end after a successful 44-year career in the military.

“His Excellency Dr. William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, pursuant to Section 9 (2), (a) of the Kenya Defence Forces Act, has today promoted Lieutenant General Francis Omondi Ogolla to the rank of General and appointed him Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF),” the statement reads in part.

Kibochi, 64, is set to proceed on terminal leave in mid-May after attaining the mandatory retirement age.

Prior to his appointment, Ogolla served as the Vice Chief of the Defence Forces.

The President has also appointed Lieutenant General Jonah Mwangi as the Vice Chief of the Defence Forces (VCDF). Prior to his appointment, Lieutenant General Jonah Mwangi was the Vice Chancellor, National Defence University – Kenya.

Tonje Rules

Ogolla, who comes from the Kenya Airforce, was earmarked to take over the CDF post in line with Tonje Rules.

The Tonje Rules, brought into place by retired Chief of Staff General Daudi Tonje, introduced a rotation system that gives equal chances to the three Services of the Kenya Defence Forces: Army, Navy and Air Force, to lead the military.

President was expected to pick Kibochi’s successor from the Kenya Air Force since the outgoing CDF is drawn from the Kenya Army and succeeded General Samson Mwathethe from the Navy.

Controversy

But Ogolla’s appointment came as a surprise to many as he was among officers who were adversely mentioned in the Bomas events of the August 9, 2022, General Election in which Ruto was elected the country’s 5th president.

The VCDF was among the top National Security Advisory Council (NSAC) officials who are claimed to have visited former polls chief Wafula Chebukati during the elections to plead with commissioners to “moderate” the results in favour of the Azimio candidate Raila Odinga or force a run-off.

Other appointments

Further the President, on the advice of Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, on Friday upheld the Defence Council’s recommendations and made various promotions, postings and appointments of KDF officers.

The President promoted Major General Said Farah to replace Jonah Mwangi as the Vice Chancellor of the National Defence University.

Brigadier David Kipkemboi Keter has also been promoted to Major General and appointed Assistant Chief of the Defence Forces Personnel and Logistics (ACDF P&L).

Ruto further promoted Brigadier Stephen James Mutuku to Major General and appointed him as Senior Directing Staff (Army) at the National Defence College.