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Friday, April 28, 2023 – Lieutenant General Francis Omondi Ogolla has today been promoted to the rank of General and will serve as the Chief of the Defence Forces, Kenya.
President William Ruto, on Friday, April 28, made this directive in his capacity as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
“His Excellency Dr. William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, pursuant to Section 9 (2). (a) of the Kenya Defence Forces Act, has today promoted Lieutenant General Francis Omondi Ogolla to the rank of General and appointed him Chief of the Defence Forces CDF,” he announced.
General Ogolla is taking over from the outgoing Chief of Defence Robert Kibochi who is retiring after his service of 44 years in the forces.
“General Francis Omondi Ogolla replaces General Robert Kariuki Kibochi whose term of service has honorably come to an end after 44 years of an illustrious military career,” read the statement, partly.
Furthermore, Ruto directed that Ogolla be deputised by Lieutenant General Jonah Mwangi who assumed the role of Vice Chief of the Defence Forces VCDF; a position previously held by Mr. Ogolla.
The head of State also elevated Major General Said Farah to take over Mwangi’s job as the Vice Chancellor of the National Defence University, Kenya.
Major General David Kimaiyo Tarus was named the deputy Commander Kenya Army while Major General William Karisa Shume will serve as the General Officer of Border Security Command GOC BSC.
Brigadier David Kipkemboi Keter was promoted to Major General and appointed Assistant Chief of the Defence Forces Personnel and Logistics ACDF P&L while Brigadier Stephen James Mutuku was promoted to Major General and appointed Senior Directing Staff (Army) National Defence College.
Several other changes were also effected today by the Head of State under the advice of security council and Defence Cabinet Secretary Adan Duale.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta promoted the army officer in January this year to become Air Force commander.
Ogolla who joined the Kenya Defence Forces KDF on 24 April 1984 attended ÉcoleMilitaire de Paris, the same military training College as Napoleon Bonaparte a famous French Emperor, military commander and political leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution.
Napoleon Bonaparte was trained in the academy in 1784 an academy for trainee officers from noble families without strong financial backgrounds.
Ogolla equally holds a Diploma both in International Studies and Military Science from Egerton University, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Armed Conflict and Peace Studies (First Class Honors) and a Master of Arts in International Studies from the University of Nairobi.
He is a trained fighter pilot as well as an instructor pilot with United States Airforce (USAF). Additionally, he is also trained in other fields including imagery intelligence, counter-terrorism and accident investigation.
In 2018 he was appointed the Commander Kenya Air Force a post he served for three years before rising to become Vice Chief of Defence Forces.
Among other ranks and positions he has held include; Training, Command and Staff including Deputy Commander Kenya Air Force, Base Commander Laikipia Air Base, Commanding Officer of Tactical Fighter Wing, Chief Flying Instructor at Kenya Air Force Flying Training School and Operations Desk Officer at Kenya Air Force Headquarters.
