Fatumah Ahmed named Kenya Defence Forces' first female Brigadier in military changes

President Uhuru Kenyata has announced changes in the military that saw a woman promoted to the rank of Brigadier for the first time.

Col Fatumah Ahmed was promoted to Brigadier and appointed the director of the Defence Forces Medical Insurance Scheme (DEFMIS).

No woman has ever held the rank of Brigadier and above in the history of the Kenya Defence Forces.

In the changes announced Tuesday, Kenya Navy Commander Maj Gen Ngewa Mukala was moved and named the commandant, Defence Staff College.

The new Navy Commander is Maj Gen Levi Franklin Mgalu.

Department of Defence headquarters said the president effected the changes on the advise of the Defence Council, that was chaired by the Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo.

Maj Gen George Mayamba Owino was posted to the Kenya Military Academy and appointed the commandant while Col George Odhiambo Walwa was promoted to Brigadier and appointed the Chief of Operations at the Defence Headquarters.

The new commander for Six Brigade is Brigadier William Karisa while Brigadier Henry Ofulah was named the commander of Kahawa Garrison.

The new director, International Peace Support Training Centre will be Brigadier Patrick Nderitu while the Chief of Operations, Plans and Training at the Kenya Army will be Brigadier Godfrey Aumah Peter Buluma.

The chief of logistics at the Kenya Army headquarters will be Brigadier James Gitiba while Brigadier Simon Wachira will be the deputy commandant and chief instructor at the Defence Staff College.

The changes are the first to be effected under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Samson Mwathethe, who took over in April 2015.

The changes announced also saw Brigadier Vincent Naisho Loonena appointed the base commander of Mtongwe while Brigadier Martin Kizito Ong’oyi was named the chief of personnel at Defence headquarters.

The council also appointed Brigadier Daniel Kimutal Pyaban as the commander, Kenya Rapid Development Capability.

"It is noteworthy to highlight that the Kenya Defence Forces now has the first female Brigadier – Brigadier Fatumah Ahmed, promoted to Brigadier and appointed Managing Director Defence Forces Medical Insurance Scheme," said a statement sent by military spokesman Bogita Ongeri.