President William Ruto Saturday urged the leadership of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to uphold the integrity of the military.
He asked the newly-appointed team to uphold the Constitution and serve Kenyans without bias.
“Kenya has a tradition of a diligent, professional and outstanding military,” he said.
Ruto said he will call upon the armed forces to support other agencies to advance the country’s transformation agenda.
He made the remarks on Saturday during the swearing-in of Gen Francis Ogolla as the Chief of the Defence Forces of the Kenya Defence Forces at State House, Nairobi.
Ruto exuded confidence in General Ogolla as he takes over from General Robert Kibochi following his retirement.
“I am confident that you [General Ogolla] merit the Office,” he said.
Lt Gen Jonah Mwangi was also sworn in as the Vice Chief of the Defence Forces.
Prior to his promotion and appointment, Lt Gen Mwangi was the Vice Chancellor of the National Defence University – Kenya.
Ruto also appointed Maj Gen Abdulkadir Mohammed Burje (Director of Military Intelligence (DMI), Maj Gen David Kipkemboi Keter (Assistant Chief of the Defence Forces Personnel and Logistics (ACDF P&L), Maj Gen David Kimaiyo Tarus (Deputy Commander Kenya Army), Maj Gen Jeff Mungai Nyagah (General Officer Western Command (GOC WESTCOM), and Maj Gen William Karisa Shume (General Officer Border Security Command (GOC BSC)).
Others Maj Gen Alphaxard Muthuri Kiugu (Force Commander East Africa Community Regional Force FC EACRF -DRC), Maj Gen Said Mohamed Farah (Vice Chancellor National Defence University- Kenya), Maj Gen Paul Owuor Otieno (Managing Director Kenya Shipyards Limited), Maj Gen Stephen James Mutuku (Senior Directing Staff (Army) National Defence College), Maj Gen Eric Mbugua Kinuthia (Senior Directing Staff Air, National Defence College), and Maj Gen John Maison Nkoimo (Commandant Joint Command Staff College (JCSC)).
Also appointed were Brig Yahya Abdi (Deputy Commander of Kenya Navy), Brig Alfred Mwihuri Gitonga (Director of National Military Coordination Centre), and Brig Anthony Rotich (Commander of Military Intelligence Corps).
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Cabinet Secretaries Aden Duale (Defence) and Kindiki Kithure (Interior) were present.
