Kenyan Veronica Moraa Becomes First Black Woman to be Appointed RAF Honorary Air Commodore in the UK

Kenyan Veronica Moraa Pickering has made history in the UK after becoming the first black woman to be appointed the Royal Air Force (RAF) Honorary Air Commodore.

The Air Commodore is a one-star air officer rank being immediately senior to group captain and immediately subordinate to air vice-marshal.

Kenyan High Commissioner to the UK Manoah Esipisu congratulated Moraa and urged her to take up the appointment.

“Congratulations @vkpickering on being the first black woman and Kenyan to be appointed RAF Honorary Air Commodore. You definitely are making history. You will notch another first when you take up royal appointment as High Sheriff in 2023. Pongezi sana,” Esipisu wrote on Twitter.

Moraa said it is an honor to wear the RAF uniform and to be able to represent the “most amazing people.” She also thanked her Group Captain and the Deputy Support Force Commander Jo Lincoln for being the most inspiring leader she has ever met while discharging her duties.

Moraa was born in Kenya before she relocated to the UK in the late 1960s with her parents, according to information on the Nottinghamshire County Council website.

For more than 25 years, she has worked as a Social Worker, Children’s Guardian and, as an International Child Protection Consultant for the UN and many NGOs across Africa, the website says.

“Veronica is supporting a number of Nottinghamshire charities and organisations and has for many years been a strong supporter of the arts and also wildlife conservation charities.”

On her Twitter bio, Moraa, who is married to Nottinghamshire-born artist Roy Pickering, describes herself as a personal coach and mentor, a human rights and wildlife advocate, as well as an art lover and traveler.