Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta swore into office the country’s first woman Major-General, Fatumah Ahmed.
Fatumah, who works with the Air Force, thus became the first woman in the Kenya Defense Force (KDF) to rise to the post in the country’s over five decades of independent rule.
President Kenyatta recognised her during the ceremony at State House in Nairobi, saying appointment was an honour for the country.
“With pride and honour, I am counting on you to be a positive role model to women across the country”, Kenyatta said. “Let other women see that there are no limits. May you be a great inspiration and guide of console everywhere”.
Maj. General Fatuma Ahmed thanked the President Kenyatta for the opportunity saying it is an honour to all women in the country.
“I am very happy with this new appointment because it shows that the President values the contribution of women to the development of our great nation,” Maj. General Ahmed said.
Maj. General Ahmed was originally a member of the women-only Kenyan Women Service Corps, transferring to the air force when the unit was absorbed into the three armed services in 1999.
