Former spokesperson of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), Zipporah Kalondu Kioko – the first woman soldier to hold that position – has joined a growing list of senior officers in the military after he elevation two days ago.

Brigadier Kioko was among 22 senior officers promoted by President Uhuru Kenyatta — who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces — on Wednesday evening. Until then she held the rank of Colonel and is now the Head of Strategic Communication.

Also elevated to the same rank is Alice Muringo Mate, a lawyer by profession. Brig. Mate, from the Kenya Navy, holds a master’s in International Maritime Law. She played a key role in 2015 when 26 navy soldiers, charged by three military tribunals in Mombasa with desertion, were sentenced to life imprisonment.

The soldiers deserted the military to work for US security firms in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq in 2007 and 2008.

A gender mainstreaming programme in KDF has seen more women rise to top positions. The senior most female officer is Maj-Gen Fatuma Ahmed, who grabbed the headlines in August 2015 when she was promoted to Brigadier and later to her current position.

Two-tier system

The KDF ranks have adopted a distinct two-tier system of officers and service members. Officers are at the top of the hierarchy, and are also referred to as commissioned officers.

The lowest rank is that of Second Lieutenant, while the highest is that of General, (four-star). At any one time, KDF has only one four-star General, who is Chief of the Defence forces currently held by General Robert Kibochi who is graduating with a PhD degree at Kenyatta University.

“The KDF has a meritocracy system where one has to pass examinations, be disciplined and have the integrity to be considered for the next rank,” said Department of Defence (DoD) headquarters.

Last August, then Defence CS Monica Juma, while hosting promoted female officers, said: “These promotions were carefully considered; they were merit-based and are to drive a vision.”

In June 2020, the Kenya Air Force’s Lt-Col Rodah Mwasigwa was appointed the Foreign Liaison Officer of the Combined Joint Task Force — Horn of Africa, becoming the first woman to hold that position.

Other senior officers include Colonel Sitenei, Yvonne Kirui from the Legal department, Navy’s Christine Kuria, and Teresiah Waititu (KDF Medical Services).

Aide-de-Camp

On Wednesday, the President appointed his former Aide-de-Camp, Lieutenant General Peter Mbogo Njiru, as the Kenya Army commander, replacing Lt-Gen Walter Koipaton, who retired.

A day before he retired, Lt-Gen Koipaton joined the personnel of the 3rd Battalion, Kenya Rifles, in marking their Unit Day, dubbed ‘Narung’ombe Day, at Lanet Barracks, Nakuru County.

Koipaton, who also served as the twentieth commanding officer of the unit, urged the soldiers to seize the opportunity of interacting with retired personnel to learn about the unit’s rich history and achievements.

The new Army boss had, last year, been posted to Defence Staff College and appointed the Commander.

Maj-Gen David Tarus was promoted and named the general officer command of Western Command, to replace Maj-Gen Joseph Kivunzi, who retired.

Maj-Gen Juma Shee Mwinyikai was appointed Commander of East Command to replace Maj Gen Ayub Matiri, who in April was made Kenya’s ambassador to Egypt.

And Maj-Gen Fredrick Leuria was named the assistant chief of defence forces in charge of operations, planning, doctrine and training.

The new force commander of the East African Community regional force for DRC is Maj-Gen Mungai Nyaga, while Maj-Gen Bernard Waliaula was named the director of the defence national security industry.

Sixteen officers of the rank of colonel were promoted to the rank of brigadier.

They include Brig Muirungi, who was appointed commandant of Recruit Training School, Brig Joseph Mokwena (chief of systems defence headquarters), Brig William Kamoiro (commander of the second brigade) and Brig Ahmed Mohamed (commander, special operations).

The President’s bodyguard, Timothy Stelu Kekolool, was among the colonels promoted to the next rank: Brigadier. But he will remain with the President.

More promotions

Others are Brig David Chesire (commandant of eight brigades), Brig David Kimeli (chief medical officer at Isiolo Hospital), Brig Charles Ndirangu (managing director of defence forces food processing factory), Brig Mohamed Salah Farah (base commander of Laikipia Air Base), Brig Dahir Ali (principal of defence forces technical college) and Brig Justino Mutisya Muinde (chief medical officer of Eldoret regional hospital).