Lieutenant General David Keter during the handover ceremony. Photo; Courtesy
Lieutenant General David Keter has officially assumed command of the Kenya Army, taking over from Lieutenant General David Tarus during a Change of Guard ceremony held today at Ngao Gardens, Kenya Army Headquarters in Nairobi.
Lt Gen Keter now becomes the 24th Commander of the Kenya Army. Prior to his appointment, he served as the Assistant Chief of Defence Forces in charge of Personnel and Logistics at the Defence Headquarters.
In his farewell address, outgoing Commander Lt Gen Tarus, who has been redeployed to the National Defence University-Kenya (NDU-K) as Vice Chancellor, congratulated his successor and called on all Army personnel to extend their full support to the new leadership.
“I am truly delighted to hand over the leadership of the Kenya Army to Lt Gen Keter,” said Lt Gen Tarus. “Your vast experience across various leadership positions within the Kenya Defence Forces has prepared you to guide the Army through today’s dynamic and complex security landscape. I wish you success in advancing the Army’s mission and maintaining operational excellence.”
Lt Gen Tarus also expressed his appreciation to the men and women of the Kenya Army for their resilience, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to service.
“I sincerely thank all members of the Kenya Army for your exceptional commitment to protecting our nation. I will always hold deep respect for your selflessness and patriotism. You are the strength of our Army, and I am proud of each one of you,” he added.
In his inaugural speech, Lt Gen Keter paid tribute to his predecessor, acknowledging his significant contributions to the growth and transformation of the Kenya Army.
“I wish to sincerely thank Lt Gen Tarus and all those who have served before me for their remarkable leadership and dedication in building the Kenya Army into the formidable force it is today,” said Lt Gen Keter. “The progress we have made is a direct result of the vision, energy, and commitment of those who came before us.”
Lt Gen Keter pledged to strengthen the Army’s capabilities and ensure that all service members are adequately equipped and supported to meet the challenges ahead.
“To the Kenya Army personnel, I commit to providing leadership that is inclusive, supportive, and visionary. I will actively listen to your ideas, value your diverse perspectives, and ensure you have the resources and training necessary to excel. Together, we will achieve great things and uphold the highest standards of excellence,” he affirmed.
The Change of Guard ceremony was attended by Deputy Army Commander Major General Mohamed Hassan, General Officers, Formation Commanders, Senior Officers, Officers, service members, and staff from the Kenya Army Headquarters.
