Kenya's military got new leaders in May 2024. Lt Gen Charles Muriu Kahariri moved up to general and became the Chief of Defence Forces. He took over after Gen Francis Ogolla died in a helicopter crash in April.
The military made more changes. John Omenda became the second-in-command. Fatuma Ahmed started leading the Air Force. She came from teaching at the defense school. These changes happened when defense boss Aden Duale met with other leaders.
Kahariri's rise was special. Most leaders had run one of the military branches before moving up, but he hadn't. He had helped run the Navy and worked at the defense school. Paul Otieno started running the Navy after Thomas Nganga left that job.
The Air Force had yet to finish its turn leading the military when Ogolla died. They could have picked another Air Force person, but none had the right rank. Their top officer, John Omenda, was lower in rank. Moving him up would mean many others would need to leave.
Later in July, Kahariri made more changes. He gave 23 officers better jobs. Musalia Mudavadi, who was filling in as defense boss, approved these moves. Many officers got new roles at different military places.
The rules say military leaders can work for four years. Sometimes they can stay longer if there's a war or big problems. Different ranks must leave at different ages. Generals leave at 62, lieutenant generals at 61, major generals at 59, and brigadiers at 57.
The military follows special rules about who leads. These rules say the top job must change between the Army, Air Force, and Navy. Gen Tonje made these rules, and they still work today.
The military made more changes. John Omenda became the second-in-command. Fatuma Ahmed started leading the Air Force. She came from teaching at the defense school. These changes happened when defense boss Aden Duale met with other leaders.
Kahariri's rise was special. Most leaders had run one of the military branches before moving up, but he hadn't. He had helped run the Navy and worked at the defense school. Paul Otieno started running the Navy after Thomas Nganga left that job.
The Air Force had yet to finish its turn leading the military when Ogolla died. They could have picked another Air Force person, but none had the right rank. Their top officer, John Omenda, was lower in rank. Moving him up would mean many others would need to leave.
Later in July, Kahariri made more changes. He gave 23 officers better jobs. Musalia Mudavadi, who was filling in as defense boss, approved these moves. Many officers got new roles at different military places.
The rules say military leaders can work for four years. Sometimes they can stay longer if there's a war or big problems. Different ranks must leave at different ages. Generals leave at 62, lieutenant generals at 61, major generals at 59, and brigadiers at 57.
The military follows special rules about who leads. These rules say the top job must change between the Army, Air Force, and Navy. Gen Tonje made these rules, and they still work today.
