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Ruto names new Army and Air Force commanders in military shake-up

Ruto names new Army and Air Force commanders in military shake-up
Soipan Tuya and military leaders on Friday, June 27, 2025. PHOTO/https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1082719453954646&set=pcb.1082719677287957

President William Ruto has made key changes in the leadership of the Kenya Defence Forces, announcing a series of promotions and appointments in June 2025.

In the latest reshuffle posted on X by the Kenya Defence Forces on Friday, June 27, 2025, Major General David Kipkemboi Ketter has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant general and appointed as the new commander of the Kenya Army.

He replaces Lieutenant General David Kimaiyo Chemwaina Tarus, who has been redeployed to serve as the vice chancellor of the National Defence University–Kenya (NDU-K).

Before this promotion, Lieutenant General Ketter served as the assistant chief of defence forces in charge of personnel and logistics. Until his appointment as Commander Kenya Army, Lieutenant General Ketter was the Assistant Chief of Defence Forces in charge of Personnel and Logistics.

At the same time, Major General Benard Waliaula has been appointed as the new commander of the Kenya Air Force.

He takes over from Major General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed, whose distinguished 42-year military career has come to an end. Prior to his new role, Major General Waliaula was serving as the director of Defence National Security Industries.

The president also promoted Brigadier Joel Muriungi M’arimi to the rank of major general. He has been appointed as the new commandant of the Kenya Military Academy. He previously served as the commander of the armoured brigade.

In addition, Brigadier Joyce Chelang’at Sitienei has also been promoted to major general. She will now serve as the deputy vice chancellor in charge of the Centre for Strategic and Security Studies at NDU-K. Before her promotion, Major General Sitienei was the director of the International Peace Support Centre.

Soipan Tuya and military leaders on Friday, June 27, 2025.
PHOTO/https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1082719523954639&set=pcb.1082719677287957
Soipan Tuya and military leaders on Friday, June 27, 2025. PHOTO/https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1082719523954639&set=pcb.1082719677287957

Military leadership reshuffle

The changes come following recommendations by the Defence Council and are seen as part of a wider effort by President Ruto to strengthen the leadership of the country’s military institutions. All promoted officers are expected to bring in a wealth of experience from their past roles and help shape the future of Kenya’s defence strategy.

The appointments also reflect a growing recognition of gender diversity in military leadership, with Major General Sitienei joining the ranks of top female officers in the Kenya Defence Forces. The Ministry of Defence said it remains committed to professionalism and excellence in service, and thanked the outgoing officers for their dedication and years of service to the nation.

Author

Kenneth Mwenda

Kenneth Mwenda is a digital writer with over five years of experience. He graduated in February 2022 with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from The Co-operative University of Kenya. He has written news and feature stories for platforms such as Construction Review Online, Sports Brief, Briefly News, and Criptonizando. In 2023, he completed a course in Digital Investigation Techniques with AFP. He joined People Daily in May 2025. For inquiries, he can be reached at kenneth.mwenda@mediamax.ke.

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