Why This Powerful General is the Man to Watch in Future KDF Promotions by Ruto

Kenya Army commander Lt Gen David Keter. PHOTO | FACEBOOK

For the man who has been in the Kenya Defence Forces for 37 years now, Kenya Army commander Lt Gen David Keter is a military veteran who has seen it all.

Lt Gen Keter joined the KDF as an Officer Cadet in 1989 and commissioned as Second Lieutenant in 1990. This was followed by decades of steady rise in the military.

Initially posted to the Artillery Corps, Lt Gen Keter found himself at the Ordnance Corps where he distinguished himself, rising to his current rank and position of the Kenya Army commander.

Before his appointment to the current role, Lt Gen Keter served as the Assistant Chief of Defense Forces in-charge of logistics and personnel.

Before that, he served as the commandant, Kahawa Garrison. He had previously served as the commanding officer, Kenya Army Ordnance Corps.

Lt Gen Keter, 58, was appointed as the Kenya Army commander in the changes made by President William Ruto in June 2025. He succeeded Lt Gen David Tarus who was moved to the National Defence University-Kenya and appointed as the Vice Chancellor.

With the Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Muriu Kahariri expected to retire in 2027 upon attaining the retirement age of 62 years in line with the Tonje Rules, someone from the Kenya Army is tipped to succeed him.

Lt Gen Keter is seen as the front runner for the position given the rotational nature of the KDF leadership.

In line with the Tonje doctrine, someone from the Kenya will be the next CDF and Lt Gen Keter is the front runner for the position as he is the senior most officer from the unit.

COMMANDER KENYA ARMY

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