a masterstroke

Kenya: Ruto defies party, shakes up military lineup

By Son Gatitu

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Posted on May 19, 2023 09:30

© General Francis Ogolla
General Francis Ogolla

Kenya’s President William Ruto has dismissed political murmurings to pick his first head of military in line with military traditions, ignoring recent political persuasions within his own party. In picking General Francis Ogolla, all eyes will be on the relationship between the chief of the Defence Forces and his Commander in Chief.

“You have my confidence, you have the confidence of the government of Kenya to discharge your responsibilities in your new office,” Ruto told Ogolla, the new chief of the Defence Forces (KDF) on 29 April. This was the culmination of some eight months of tension between the two men.

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