President Uhuru Kenyatta's Aide-De-Camp (ADC) Lt Gen. Peter Mbogo Njiru has succeeded Lt. Gen. Walter Koipaton, as Commander of the Kenya Army.
Njiru was ushered into the service in a colourful ceremony attended by top military officials at Kenya Army headquarters in Nairobi today Monday, August 8.
In his acceptance speech, Lt.Gen Njiru expressed gratitude to his predecessor for exemplary leadership and promised to spearhead the service to new heights.
"At this particular moment, I am joining a working system, professional and committed with work, and therefore mine is just to continue with the same trajectory it was following," Lt.Gen Njiru said.
On his part, Lt.Gen Koipaton, the outgoing Commander, exuded confidence that Lt.Gen Njiru was the best fit for the job owing to his professional background.
Koipaton has served as Army Commander for four years.
"My unbroken service ends today as I hand over the stewardship of the Army but my comfort is that the experience Lt.Gen Njiru has in diverse fields, makes him take charge in the current dynamic, complex defence and security environment," said Lt.Gen Koipaton.
Lt.Gen Njiru was enlisted into the Kenya Defence Forces as an Officer Cadet on June 24, 1985, and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on June 26, 1986.
Upon commissioning, he was posted to 77 Artillery as a Troop Commander and later became a Commanding officer in the same Unit.
He served in many regimental capacities among them Administration Officer, Adjutant, Battery Captain, Battery Commander, Instructor Air Defence Wing, among others before becoming a Commanding Officer in 2006.
During his illustrious career in the Kenya Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Njiru has held a raft of Command, Staff and Instructional-related appointments in various Kenya Defence Forces Establishments.
These include Operations, Plans, Doctrine and Training at the Kenya Defence Forces Headquarters.
Lieutenant General Njiru is a graduate of the Royal College of Defense Studies Course in the UK and he earned a Master of Arts degree in International Security and Strategy from Kings College, London.
He has also served in the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMISS) where he was a Commanding Officer of the Kenyan Battalion and a Staff Officer in the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE)
In recognition of his distinguished and exemplary service, President and Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces awarded Lt Gen Njiru with Chief of the Burning Spear(CBS) among others.
Lt GenNjiru's appointment followed a series of promotions and reshuffles affecting military officials.
In the changes, Brigadier David Kimaiyo was promoted to Major General and appointed General Officer Commanding Western Command.
Brigadier Juma Shee Mwinyikal was also promoted to Major General and appointed General Officer Commanding Eastern Command.
Brigadier Fredrick Leuria becomes a Major-General and was appointed Assistant Chief of Defence Forces in Charge of Operations, Plans, Doctrine and Training.
Brigadier Mungai Nyaga was promoted to Major-General and appointed Force Commander East African Community Regional Force for DRC.
Colonel William Kamoirow was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Commander, Second Brigade.
Colonel Ahmed Mohamed was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Commander, Special Operations Brigade.
Colonel Joel Muriungi was promoted to Brigadier and appointed commandant of the Recruits Training School.
Colonel Doughlas Mokwena was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Systems at Defence Headquarters.
Colonel David Kiprotich was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Commander, 8th Brigade.
Colonel Alice Muringo was promoted to Brigadier but remains in the Legal Branch at Defence Headquarters.
Colonel Dr David Kimeli was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Chief Medical Officer of the Isiolo Regional Hospital.
Colonel Charles Ndirangu was promoted to Brigadier too and appointed the Managing Director of the Defence Forces Food Processing Factory.
