Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ The military has undergone significant changes in its top command, including the retirement of Vice Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Jonah Mwangi and Army Commander Lt Gen Peter Mbogo Njiru, who reached retirement age.
In their place, Maj Gen Charles Muriu Kahariri has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General and appointed as the new Vice Chief of Defence Forces. Meanwhile, Maj Gen David Kimaiyo Tarus will take over as the Commander of the Kenya Army.
Additionally, Maj Gen Jim Mutai, previously the Kenya Navy Commander, has been promoted to the rank of Lt Gen and reassigned to the Defence College as Vice Chancellor.
These changes were announced after a meeting of the Defence Council, chaired by Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, and subsequently briefed to President William Ruto as the Commander in Chief before being made public.
President Ruto has also promoted and appointed Brig Thomas Njoroge Ng’ang’a as Maj Gen and appointed him as the new Commander of the Kenya Navy.
Lt Gen Njiru, who assumed the position in 2022, is succeeded by Maj Gen Nganga from the Kenya Navy. According to established rules, the next Chief of Defence Forces will be chosen from the Kenya Navy upon the retirement of Gen Francis Ogolla next year.
Other notable changes include the promotion of Maj Gen Juma Shee Mwinyikai to Lt Gen and his appointment as Commandant of the National Defence College, and the appointment of Maj Gen Mohamed Nur Hassan as Deputy Army Commander.
Under the Tonje Rules, introduced by retired Chief of General Staff Gen Daudi Tonje, the position of Chief of Defence Forces rotates among the three services: Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force, and Kenya Navy. Gen Ogolla is from the Kenya Airforce, meaning the next CDF must come from the Kenya Navy.
The KDF Act stipulates that the CDF, deputy CDF, and service commanders serve a single term of four years or retire upon reaching mandatory retirement age. However, in times of war or emergencies, the President, upon the recommendation of the National Defence Council, may extend the CDF’s term for up to one year.
Retirement ages for military ranks are defined by law but are subject to amendment through legislation based on recommendations from the Defence Council.
