President William Ruto has presided over the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed leaders of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), following the recommendation of the Defence Council.
Speaking during the investiture on Saturday, June 28, 2025, Ruto condemned the attack on police officers during the demonstrations to honour victims of the June 25, 2024, anti-government protests that led to the loss of at least 60 people in the country.
“We cannot have a country where criminals run after our policemen. If a policeman’s life is in danger, then how can our families be safe? This trend must change. The criminals that attacked our officers and destroyed property in the Wednesday mayhem will be held to account,” he stated.
“We will stand by every man and woman in uniform and protect them as they discharge their duties. That is how we will have a more secure and stable Kenya where meaningful development occurs,” he added.
Among those sworn in is Major General David Kipkemboi Ketter, who had been serving as the Assistant Chief of Defence Forces in charge of Personnel and Logistics and has been promoted to Lieutenant General and appointed as the Commander of the Kenya Army, replacing Lieutenant General David Kimaiyo Chemwaina Tarus, who has been redeployed to the National Defence University Kenya (NDU-K) as the Vice Chancellor.
Additionally, Major General Benard Waliaula, the Director of Defence National Security Industries, was sworn in as the Commander of the Kenya Air Force, replacing Major General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed, whose term of service has come to an end after 42 years of service.
Others include Brigadier Joel Muriungi M’arimi, the Commander of the Armoured Brigade, who was appointed to the rank of Major General and appointed Commandant of the Kenya Military Academy; Brigadier Joyce Chelang’at Sitienei, the Director of the International Peace Support Centre, to the rank of Major General; and her Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Centre for Strategic and Security Studies at the National Defence University-Kenya (NDU-K).
Others
Brigadier Faustino Mancha Lobaly has been promoted to Major General and appointed Director of National Defence Security Industries; Brigadier Charles Lenjo Mwazighe has been promoted to Major General and appointed Director of the International Peace Support Centre; and Brigadier Mohamed Isak lddi has been promoted to Major General and appointed Director at the Directorate of Oversight, Compliance, and Accountability (DOCA).
Brigadier Edward Rugendo was promoted to Major General and appointed Director of Personnel and Logistics; Brigadier Richard Wambua Mwanzia, promoted to Major General and appointed Senior Directing Staff, Army at the National Defence College; Colonel Said Mohamed Mwacharo, promoted to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Infrastructure; and Colonel Meshack Sinkira Kishoyian was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Commander of the 6th Brigade.
