Kenya President Ruto Appoints General Charles Kahariri as New Defence Chief

Kenya’s President William Ruto has promoted Lieutenant General Charles Muriu Kahariri to the rank of General and appointed him Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) after the death of his predecessor in a helicopter crash.

Kahariri replaces Francis Omondi Ogolla who was among ten military officers killed when their chopper went down in a remote area of northwestern Kenya on April 18.

Kahariri had previously served as deputy to Ogolla, 62, who had been Chief of Defence Forces for a year and was about to mark 40 years of military service.

The promotion of Kahariri to the defence chief post and the rank of general were among several appointments Ruto announced.

He also named Major General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed as commander of the Kenya Air Force, the first woman in the nation’s history to hold the position.

She replaced John Mugaravai Omenda who was promoted to Vice Chief of the Defence Forces and the rank of lieutenant general.

Major General Paul Owuor Otieno was also named commander of the Kenya Navy.