Gen Charles Kahariri Appointed as Kenya’s  New Defence Chief

NAIROBI: Kenya’s President William Ruto has promoted Lt Gen Charles Muriu Kahariri to the rank of General and appointed him Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), following the death of death of Gen Francis Ogolla in a helicopter crash.

At the same time, current Kenya Army Commander, Maj-Gen John Mugaravai Omenda, has been promoted to the rank of Lt-Gen and named Vice Chief of Defence Forces.

Lt Gen Omenda’s promotion has seen the promotion of the first woman service commander, with the promotion of Maj-Gen Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed as the Kenya Air Force Commander.

Other appointments include that of Maj-Gen Thomas Ng’ang’a, currently Kenya Navy commander, to the role of Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration and Finance, at the National Defence University-Kenya.

Maj Gen Ng’ang’a will be replaced as the Kenya Navy Commander by Maj-Gen Paul Owuor Otieno.

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

Other promotions are Brigadier Jattani Kampare Gula, who has risen to Major General, and has been named Managing Director, Kenya Meat Commission while Brigadier George Okumu has also risen to Major General and appointed Managing Director, Kenya Ordinance Factories Corporation and Food Processing Factory.

Brigadier Samuel Kipkosgei Korir has been named Deputy Commander, Kenya Air Force.

Lt-Gen Jimson Longiro Mutai still remains Vice Chancellor, National Defence University-Kenya), Lt-Gen David Kimaiyo Tarus (Kenya Army Commander), and Lt-Gen Juma Shee Mwinyikai (Commandant of the National Defence College).

Before his promotion to the second highest rank in the military, Lt-Gen Kahariri was deputy commandant National Defence College.

Source – Agencies