Ruto Appoints General Charles Kahariri as New CDF



The Vice Chief of Defence Forces (VCDF), Lt Gen Charles Muriu Kahariri, has been elevated to the position of General and appointed as the Chief of Defence Forces.

He takes over from Gen Francis Ogolla, who tragically passed away in a helicopter accident.


The late General Francis Ogolla. 



Kahariri has now attained the rank of a four-star general, the highest rank within Kenya's defence forces.

The prestigious five-star general rank is exclusively reserved for the President of the Republic of Kenya.

Meanwhile, Major General John Omenda, who currently serves as the Kenya Air Force commander, has been elevated to the position of Vice Chief of Defence Forces (VCDF).

President William Ruto, who also serves as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, made the decision regarding these promotions and appointments following a meeting of the Defense Council, which was chaired by Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.

The promotion of General Kahari came somewhat unexpectedly. Traditionally, military commanders are expected to have previously served as service commanders, which was not the case for him. He had not previously held the position of a service commander.

Previously, he held the position of Deputy Commander in the Kenya Navy before being promoted and assigned to a defense college.

Attaining the rank of general in any military branch is often considered the pinnacle of one's career in the armed forces. It represents the highest level of achievement in the profession of arms, symbolizing the apex of the military hierarchy.

Global statistics indicate that generally, only about one percent of a cadet class ultimately ascend to the rank of general, highlighting the rarity and prestige associated with this position.

Lt-Gen Omenda's promotion marks a significant milestone with the advancement of Maj-Gen Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed as the first woman service commander, assuming the role of Kenya Air Force Commander.


Major General Fatuma Ahmed.

Additionally, Maj-Gen Thomas Ng'ang'a, the current Kenya Navy commander, has been appointed as the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance at the National Defence University-Kenya.

Maj-Gen Ng'ang'a's position at the Kenya Navy will be succeeded by Maj-Gen Paul Owuor Otieno.

Furthermore, Brigadier Peter Nyamu Githinji has been promoted to the rank of Maj-Gen and appointed as the Senior Directing Staff, Air at the National Defence College.

Brigadier Jattani Kampare Gula and Brigadier George Okumu have both been elevated to the rank of Major General. Brigadier Gula assumes the role of Managing Director at the Kenya Meat Commission, while Brigadier Okumu has been appointed as the Managing Director of the Kenya Ordinance Factories Corporation and Food Processing Factory.

Brigadier Samuel Kosgei Kipkorir has been named as the Deputy Commander of the Kenya Air Force.

Notably, Lt-Gen Jimson Longiro Mutai remains the Vice Chancellor of the National Defence University-Kenya, while Lt-Gen David Kimaiyo Tarus continues to serve as the Kenya Army Commander, and Lt-Gen Juma Shee Mwinyikai retains the position of Commandant at the National Defence College.



Before ascending to the second-highest rank in the military, Lt-Gen Kahariri served as the Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College.

Gen Ogolla hailed from the Kenya Air Force, while his predecessor, Gen Kibochi, came from the Kenya Army, and Gen Samson Mwathethe originated from the Kenya Navy.

According to the KDF Act, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), their deputy, and service commanders are mandated to serve a single term of four years or retire upon reaching the mandatory retirement age.

However, the Act permits the President, upon the recommendation of the National Defence Council, to extend the CDF's term for a duration not exceeding one year.

The retirement age for a General is designated at 62, while that for a Lt-Gen is 61. Maj-Gens and Brigadiers retire at the ages of 59 and 57, respectively.

As per the Act, the President reserves the authority to dismiss, retire, or reassign the Chief of the Defence Forces, the Vice Chief of the Defence Forces, or any of the Service Commanders at any point before the conclusion of their term of office.



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