RUTO MAKES CHANGES IN KDF, APPOINTS NEW ARMY AND AIR FORCE COMMANDERS

President William Ruto has made a raft of changes in Kenya’s military leadership, including the Kenya Army and the Kenya Air Force. In the announcement made on Friday, June 27 2025, by the Ministry of Defence, Ruto promoted Major General David Kipkemboi Ketter to Lieutenant General and appointed him as the Commander Kenya Army.
Ketter replaced Lieutenant General David Kimaiyo Chemwaina Tarus, who has been redeployed to the National Defence University-Kenya (NDU-K) as the Vice Chancellor. Before his new appointment as Commander Kenya Army, Ketter was the Assistant Chief of Defence Forces in charge of Personnel and Logistics.
In addition, the President appointed Major General Benard Waliaula as the Commander Kenya Air Force. Waliaula replaces Major General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed, whose term of service has come to an end after 42 years. Until his appointment as Commander Kenya Air Force, Major General Waliaula was the Director of Defence National Security Industries.
Similarly, the Head of State promoted Brigadier Joel Muriungi M'arimi to the rank of Major General and appointed him Commandant Kenya Military Academy. Before his appointment, Muriungi was the Commandant at the Kenya Military Academy and the Commander Armoured Brigade.
Further, Ruto promoted Brigadier Joyce Chelang'at Sitienei to the rank of Major General and appointed her Deputy Vice Chancellor, Centre for Strategic and Security Studies at National Defence University -Kenya(NDU-K).
Until her promotion and appointment, she was the Director International Peace Support Centre.