President Uhuru Kenyatta, on Wednesday, July 20, promoted his former aide-de-camp (ADC) Peter Mbogo Njiru to become the Commander of the Kenya Army.
Njiru was also promoted from the rank of Major General to Lieutenant General – a position previously held by Walter Raria.
Njiru took over after Raria retired on completion of four years tour of duty. The current ADC, Timothy Stelu, who previously served as a colonel, was promoted to the rank of Brigadier. He will continue serving as the ADC to the Head of State.
This comes a week after the former colonel was awarded the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (E.B.S.) commendation by the President.
“His Excellency Hon Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya, and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, on the advice of the Defence Council, chaired by Hon Eugene Wamalwa, Cabinet Secretary for Defence, has today July 20, 2022 made the following promotions, appointments and postings of the officers of the Kenya Defence Forces,” a notice from the Ministry of Defence announced.
In total, the Head of State promoted 22 officers attached to KDF spanning the Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force and Kenya Navy.
Others who were promoted are Brigadier David Kimaiyo Chemwaina Tarus (Major General and appointed
General Officer Commanding Western Command), Brig Juma Shee Mwinyikai (Major General and appointed General Officer Commanding Eastern Command) and Brig Fredrick Leuria (Major General and appointed Assistant Chief of Defence Forces in charge of Operations, Plans, Doctrine and Training).
In the Air Force division, Brig Benard Waliaula was promoted to the position of Major General and appointed
Director Defence National Security Industries, Col Mohammed Salah Farah (promoted to Brigadier and appointed Base Commander, Laikipia Air Base) while Col Mohamed Dahir Ali became a Brigadier as well as the Principal of the Defence Forces Technical College.
In the Navy division, Stelu was appointed alongside Col John Wekesa Khaoya who ascended to the position of Brigadier and will now serve as the Chief of Welfare and Compensation, at the Defence Headquarters.
Other officers who got promotions were Brig Mungai Nyaga, Col William Kamoiro, Col Ahmed Mohamed Saman, Col Joel Muriungi M’Arimi, Col Joseph Doughlas Mokwena and Col David Kiprotich Chesire among others.
The Head of State made the changes with barely three weeks left in office.