After three days of national mourning, the Defence Council is this week expected to sit and make recommendations on the next Chief of Defence Forces following the death of General Francis Ogolla and nine others in a helicopter crash on Thursday.
General Ogolla died last Thursday at the age of 61 in a military chopper crash that occurred at the Kaben-Cheptulel border between Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot counties.
The Defence Council is comprised of the Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale who is the chairperson, the Chief of Defence Forces (in this case Vice Chief of Defence Forces (VCDF) Lieutenant General Charles Muriu Kahariri- the Ag CDF), the three service commanders and the Defence Permanent Secretary Patrick Mariru. The three service commanders Lieutenant General David Chemwaina Tarus the Commander Kenya Army, Major General John Mugaravai Omenda the Commander Kenya Air Force and Major General Thomas Ng’ang’a the Commander Kenya Navy.
It is expected to front a name or names of suitable candidates to the President who will succeed General Ogolla any time this week. According to the CDF Act, the President shall in appointing the Chief of Defence Forces take into account the seniority of the officer, their military and formal civic education and military/security experience.
The act envisages a situation where the office may fall vacant following the death of a serving CDF but does not give a timeline within which the replacement must be made. General Ogolla’s successor is however expected to be announced this week, a decision had been made not to make the announcement until the late general is buried at his Ng’iya home on Sunday.
For years now, the seat holder has been a rotation of officers from the three services (navy, army and air force) in what is commonly referred to as the Tonje rules in honour of the person who invented them, Retired General Daudi Tonje.
“the law says that a CDF will serve for four years or at the attainment of 62 years whichever comes first,” CS Duale said during General Ogolla’s burial on Sunday.
The officer picked will be promoted to the rank of a General and appointed CDF.
Senior military officers currently holding the rank of Lt General include; Lt Gen David Kimaiyo Tarus- the commander of the Kenya Army, Lt Gen Jimson Longiro Mutai the Vice-Chancellor of the National Defence University and Lt Gen Juma Shee Mwinyikai the Commandant of the National Defence College. Once appointed, the new CDF will lead the last requiem mass in honour of his predecessor, General Ogolla on Friday.
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