President William Ruto has announced a series of promotions, appointments and postings within the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
In changes announced on Friday, the General Officer Commanding, Central Command, Maj Gen John Maiso Nkoimo was named the Deputy Commander Kenya Army.
This followed a Defence Council meeting chaired by Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuiya.
Maj Gen Nkoimo replaces Major Gen Mohamed Nur Hassan, who has proceeded for retirement. Additionally, Brig Mohamud Salah Farah, who was the Base Commander at Laikipia Air Base, was appointed the Deputy Air Force Commander.
Brig William Kamoiro was promoted to the rank of Maj Gen and appointed the General Officer Commanding Central Command.
Brig Peter Kipketer Limo was also promoted to the rank of Maj Gen and appointed Assistant Chief of Defence Forces in charge of Personnel and Logistics at the Defence Headquarters.
Brig Limo replaced Maj Gen Edward Rugendo, who was appointed as the Managing Director at the Defence Forces Welfare Services.
Until his promotion and appointment, Brig Limo was the Managing Director at the Defence Forces Welfare Services.
The President extended the tenure of service for the Commander Kenya Navy Maj Gen Paul Owuor Otieno, by one year and also upheld the Council’s recommendations and made various promotions, postings and appointments of Kenya Defence Forces Officers.
Brig (Dr) Francis Njoroge Kuria was promoted to Maj Gen and appointed Director of Medical Services, while Col Mark Joseph Awala was promoted to Brig and appointed Chief of Operations at Kenya Army Headquarters, and Col Makonani Balata was promoted to the rank of Brig and appointed Commander Langata Garrison.
Col Asma Diramo Kofa was promoted to Brig and appointed Chief of Provost at the Directorate of Oversight, Compliance and Accountability, while Col Peter Karigih Kariu was promoted to Brig and appointed College Secretary at the National Defence College.
Col Benedetta Margaret Kikech was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Research and Development at the Defence National Security Industries, while Lieutenant Colonel Bernadette Awar Eyanae was promoted to Colonel and appointed Colonel Plans and Programs at the International Peace Support Training.
More changes are expected in November 2026 or April next year.
According to the Tonje Rules, it is the Kenya Army that is supposed to take over after the Navy, where Gen Charles Kahariri belongs. Gen Kahariri has at least one more year to serve in the military.
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Act says a CDF, his deputy and service commanders shall serve a single term of four years or retire upon attaining the mandatory retirement age. But the Act also says the President may, on the recommendation of the National Defence Council, extend the CDF’s term for a period not exceeding one year in times of war or emergencies like political uncertainty.
A General is supposed to retire at 62, a Lieutenant-General at 61, a Major-General at 59 and a Brigadier at 57 years.
However, the law puts a disclaimer on the General that: “The maximum retirement age shall be amended from time to time through legislation on the recommendation by the Defence Council.” Under the rules introduced by retired Chief of General Staff Gen Tonje — adopted and known as the Tonje Rules — the position of the CDF is rotated among the three services. These are Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force and Kenya Navy. The current CDF is from the Navy and the next will be from Kenya Army.