Kenyan leader appoints new army commander in military changes

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed Lieut. Gen. Peter Njiru as the country’s new army commander.

The Kenya Defense Forces said Njiru has been promoted as “Lieut Gen. Walter Koipaton retires on completion of four years tour of duty.”

It said Kenyatta decided on various changes to the army, including promoting his Aide-de-camp, Timothy Stelu, from colonel to brigadier rank as the president prepares to leave office in three weeks. He aslo promoted army officials in changes to the navy, air force, and the army.

Koipatonis was appointed army commander on July 13, 2018.

He was enlisted into the military as an Officer Cadet on May 14, 1982, and commissioned as an officer April 14, 1983.

After completion of his training, he was posted to the 3rd Kenya Rifles as a platoon commander and served in various appointments including Officer Commanding and later as Commanding Officer.

The army is working with regional forces to bring peace to Somalia where al-Shabaab terrorists are wreaking havoc and killing civilians.

Kenya's army entered Somalia Oct. 14, 2011, to fight Al Qaeda, which is affiliated with al-Shabab in Somalia, who are posing a security challenge in Kenya and the region hence threatening Kenya’s security and national interest.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​