President Uhuru Kenyatta has appointed Fatimah Ahmed the first woman Brigadier in the country, in changes to the Kenya Defence Force’s command structure.
Ahmed had previously held the post of Colonel at the Kenya Navy, the highest position by a woman in the disciplined forces.
In the changes announced on Tuesday, Uhuru also promoted Brigadier Levi Mghalu to Major General and Navy Commander.
Uhuru’s administration has been applauded for attempts at achieving gender parity in public appointments, including his nomination of six women to cabinet.
- the-star.co.ke
More Details
This happened back in August 2015, when President Uhuru Kenyatta promoted Colonel Fatumah (Fatuma) Ahmed to Brigadier—the first time in Kenya Defence Forces history that a woman held that rank.
At the time, she also became the Managing Director of the Defence Forces Medical Insurance Scheme (DEFMIS).
Here are the key details:
Who: Colonel Fatumah Ahmed, a long-serving officer since 1983, originally in the Women Service Corps.
What: Promoted to Brigadier and appointed MD of DEFMIS.
When: Around August 11–12, 2015.
Why significant: First woman to reach Brigadier rank in KDF history.
Since then, she’s continued to break barriers—later becoming Kenya’s first female Major‑General in 2018, and in May 2024, under President Ruto, the first woman to command the Kenya Air Force.
In summary: President Uhuru’s appointment in August 2015 of Fatumah Ahmed as Brigadier marked a historic milestone—and it paved the way for her further elevation to Major‑General and beyond.
