President William Ruto on Friday promoted Lt Gen Francis Ogolla to become the Chief of Defence Forces in military changes that have surprise many.
Gen Ogolla's promotion and appointment to CDF was a dream come true after a bruising election and a difficult political period last year.
He was adversely named during the presidential election petition with former IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati naming him among top state officials who put pressure on him to moderate results.
But that taint did not stop President Ruto from making Gen Ogolla the first Chief of Defence Forces from Nyanza. No soldier from Nyanza or Western regions has held that position.
The first CDF was Gen Robert Penfold who held the office between November 1966 and May 1969. He was succeeded by Gen Joseph Musyimi Ndolo who was in charge between June 1969 and June 1971. Next came Gen Jackson Kimeu Mulinge who served for more than a decade from 1971 to 1986.
All the first three military chiefs came from the Kenya Army.
Gen Mohamed Haji Barrow took over from Gen Mulinge for another decade between 1986 and 1996 before he was succeeded by Gen Daudi Remirei Chepkong'a Tonje, also from the Kenya Army for another four years.
Gen Barrow was from the Airforce.
Gen Tonje was succeeded by Gen Joseph Kibwana from the navy who served between 2000 and 2005 before another army man in Gen Jeremiah Kianga took over.
Gen Kianga served until 2011 when Gen Julius Karangi of the Airforce was installed as the next military chief. After Gen Karangi came Gen Samson Mwathethe from the navy and Gen Robert Kibochi from the army.
Gen Ogolla's promotion follows a recommendation by the Defence Council chaired by CS Aden Duale. The council later met the President who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces to brief him on their recommendations.
Ruto adopted that recommendation and appointed Gen Ogolla the next CDF as he crafts his military team. Gen Ogolla was the Vice Chief of the Defence Forces before the appointment.
He replaces Gen Kibochi whose term of service has come to an end after a 44-year illustrious career in the military.
The appointment of Gen Ogolla now means Lt Gen Mohammed Badi will also proceed on retirement. It was either Gen Ogolla or Gen Badi for the next big job as they were the only candidates from the Airforce.
Under the rules introduced by retired Chief of General Staff Gen Daudi Tonje — adopted and known as the Tonje Rules — the position of the CDF is rotated among the three services.
These are Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force and Kenya Navy.
Gen Kibochi is from the Kenya Army and his predecessor, Gen Mwathethe, was from the Kenya Navy.
This means that the next CDF must come from the Kenya Air Force.
Both Gen Ogolla and Gen Badi are Air Force veterans and were the senior most officers with the title Lieutenant General.
In the military, you don’t skip ranks.
Gen Ogolla is a graduate of ÉcoleMilitaire de Paris and National Defence College of Kenya.
He holds 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 Honours) and Masters of Arts in International Studies from the University of Nairobi.
He rose through ranks to become a Major General and appointed the Commander Kenya Air Force on July 15, 2018, a post he served for three years.
Many described him as a dedicated and disciplined officer. He will however serve for only a year given a General is supposed to retire at 62, a Lieutenant-General at 61, a Major-General at 59 and a Brigadier at 57 years. Gen Ogolla is 61-years-old. But the President can extend his stay in office.
Ruto also appointed Lt Gen Jonah Mwangi to be the Vice Chief of the Defence Forces. Prior to his appointment, Lt Gen Mwangi was the Vice Chancellor of the National Defence University.
Major General Said Farah takes over from Lt Gen Mwangi as Vice Chancellor of the National Defence University while Maj Gen David Kimaiyo Tarus was appointed deputy commander Kenya Army.
The changes also saw Maj Gen William Shume appointed officer border security command.
Maj Gen Alphaxard Kiugu was appointed the force commander of East Africa Community Regional Force in DRC to replace Maj Gen Jeff Nyagah who was named the General Officer Western Command.
Maj Gen Eric Kinuthia was appointed the senior directing staff Air National Defence College.
Director of military intelligence Maj Gen Said Mohamed Farah was moved to the National Defence College and named the Vice Chancellor while Brig Yahya Abdi was appointed the deputy commander of Kenya Navy.
Brigadier David Keter was promoted to Maj Gen and appointed Assistant CDF personnel and logistics while Brig Stephen Mutuku was promoted to the rank of Maj Gen and named the senior directing staff army at NDC.
The council also promoted Brig John Nkoimo to Maj Gen and named him commandant Joint Command Staff College and Brig Abdulkadir Burje to Maj Gen and named him the Director of Military Intelligence.
Brig Paul Owuor Otieno was promoted to the Maj Gen and named Managing Director of Kenya Shipyards Limited while Col Anthony Rotich was promoted to rank of Brig and named the commander Military Intelligence Corps.
Col Alfred Gitonga was promoted to Brig and appointed director military coordination centre.