The Chief of Defence Forces Gen Francis Ogolla Saturday presided over the investiture of ranks ceremony to the newly promoted General Officers.
The colourful ceremony, held at the Defence Headquarters in Nairobi, follows the promotions and appointments by President William Ruto on May 26.
Gen Ogolla said the officers’ dedication, commitment, and hard work are some of the qualities that earned them the positions.
He exuded confidence in their ability to carry out the responsibilities bestowed upon them, assuring them of his unwavering support in their areas of responsibility to enable them to effectively achieve their new obligations.
He further encouraged them to remain focused and embrace unity of purpose and new ideas to successfully achieve the set objectives of their departments.
“When you reach these positions, your whole life will be about decision making. So let the majority of your decision be influenced by the interest of your organisation,, and not self interest or the interests of others” he said.
Those promoted are Maj Gen Dennis Kamuri, who has been appointed Managing Director Kenya Ordinance Factories Corporation (KOFC), and Maj Gen Mohamed Nur Hassan who has been appointed General Officer Commanding Border Security Command.
The ceremony was attended by the Vice Chief of Defence Forces (VCDF) Lieutenant General Jonah Mwangi, Service Commanders, and General Officers.
This comes amid murmurs in some top officers in the military questioning why the changes were made within a short while.
One officer said there has never been appointments involving one- star and two- star generals on a space of a month.
“Also, Maj Gen Shume just this past April was made Head of Border Security Command. Barely a month in his new position, he has now been replaced by Maj Gen Nur Hassan, who was promoted from Brigadier.”
“Some officers fear politicians are “contaminating” or undermining respected traditions of promotions in the military,” said one officer aware of the murmurs.
The officer asked why Maj Gen Kahariri was appointed to two appointments which are Deputy commandant NDC and also SDS Navy.
Some officers feel there is interference from outside to favor some people and want the trend to stop.
There was no immediate comment from DOD.
Maj Gen Rashid Abdi Elmi was moved to National Defence College and appointed Commandant, Maj Gen John Maison Nkoimo was posted to Kenya Military Academy and appointed Commandant while Maj Gen Eric Mbugua Kinuthia was posted to Joint Command and Staff College and appointed commandant.
According to a statement from department of defence, Maj Gen Charles Muriu Kahariri was ppointed Deputy Commandant and Senior Directing Staff Navy, National Defence College while Maj Gen Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed was posted to National
Defence College and appointed Senior Directing Staff Air.
