Why Ruto's appointment of General Ogolla is another masterstroke

President William Ruto and Francis Ogolla, the new Chief of Defence Forces, during a military investiture ceremony at State House. [PSCU]

Last week, President William Ruto promoted Francis Ogolla to the rank of General and at the same time, appointed him Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). He replaces General Robert Kibochi who has retired following a long military career culminating at the apex of the armed forces.

Ruto's decision to appoint Ogolla sends out four subliminal messages that affirm the president as master of the political game. For starters, it depicts Ruto as a man willing to let bygones be bygones.

Following last year's presidential elections, Ogolla was allegedly among members of the National Security Advisory Committee who had cautioned Kenya's electoral body against declaring Ruto as the president-elect saying, "the country is going to burn." In appointing Ogolla, Ruto has put behind him any semblance of a grudge and won the hearts of those who always perceived him as vengeful.