President William Ruto recently made a new round of appointments and promotions in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), in changes affecting all service branches.According to a notice by the Ministry of Defence on Friday, the move was made following a recommendation of the Defence Council, chaired by Defence Cabinet Secretary Roselinda Soipan Tuya, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the leadership structure of the military.In the key changes, Major General David Kipkemboi Ketter has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General and appointed Commander of the Kenya Army.
Brigadier Faustino Mancha Lobaly has been promoted to Major General and appointed Director of National Defence Security Industries.
In the Kenya Army, Brigadier Faustino Mancha Lobaly was promoted to Major General and appointed Director of the National Defence Security Industries. Also, Brigadier Charles Lenjo Mwazighe was promoted to Major General and appointed Director International Peace Support Centre.
Other promotions were Brigadier Mohamed Isak Iddi, who was promoted to Major General and appointed Director at the Directorate of Oversight, Compliance and Accountability (DOCA). He was joined by Brigadier Edward Rugendo, who was promoted to Major General and appointed Director of Personnel and Logistics.
Additionally, Brigadier Richard Wambua Mwanzia was promoted to Major General and appointed Senior Directing Staff, Army at the National Defence College.
At one point, Brigadier Richard Mwanzia became the talk of social media because of his biceps and muscular body.
At the time, the one-star Kenya Army General was the director of strategic plans at the Kenya Defence Forces headquarters.Fast forward, the powerful and highly experienced Kenya Army officer is at the National Defence College where he serves as senior directing staff, Army.
At the NDC, Brigadier Mwanzia succeeded Major General Stephen Mutuku, who was appointed as the deputy Commandant, National Defence College.
The National Defence College is a premier military institution in the country, where its Commandant is always jn the Chief of Defence Forces succession mix.
The current institution Commandant Lt General Juma Shee Mwinyikayi is seen as one of the front runners to succeed the current CDF General Charles Muriu Kahariri in future. And Brigadier Mwanzia may one day rise to head the college.