Major General Francis Ogolla Appointed Vice Chief of Defense Forces

President Kenyatta has promoted Major General Francis Ogolla to the rank of Lieutenant General.

Ogolla, who has been the Commander of the Kenya Air Force, was subsequently appointed the Vice Chief of Defense Forces.

He replaces Lieutenant General Frankline Mghalu, who has gone into retirement after serving for 40 years in the military. Mghalu previously served as the Commander of the Kenya Navy. 

President Uhuru also promoted Brigadier John M. Omenda to the rank of Major General and appointed him the Commander of the Kenya Air Force.

Kenyatta, who is the Commander-In-Chief of the Kenya Defense Forces, further elevated Major General Mohammed Badi to the rank of Lieutenant General and remains the Director-General of the Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS).

Also promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General is Major General Albert K. Kendagor, who was subsequently appointed Force Commander Designate of AMISOM.

Major General Jonah Mwangi was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General and appointed Chancellor of the National Defense University of Kenya while Major General William Shume has been appointed Commander of Kenya Army, replacing Major General Kendagor.

Kenyatta announced the changes on Friday following recommendations by the Defense Council chaired by Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma.

In the changes, Colonel Esther Wanjiku becomes the new Kenya Defense Forces spokesperson, replacing Col Zipporah Kioko who proceeds for further studies at Royal College of Defense Studies in the UK.