President William Ruto on Friday presided over the swearing-in of the new Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officials at State House in Nairobi.
The KDF officials who took the oath of office during the swearing-in ceremony included the new Chief of Defence Forces Charles Muriu Kahariri, and Major General John Mugaravai Omenda appointed as Vice CDF.
Others included Major General Thomas Njoroge Ng'ang'a, appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Administration and Finance and Senior Directing Staff, Air at the National Defence College, Peter Nyamu Githinji.
Ruto who spoke during the event called for enhanced teamwork between the Kenya Defence Forces officials and other security agencies.
In particular, the head of state urged the KDF to help deal with the current flood menace that has affected different parts of the country.
“I have discussed this with the new CDF and shortly we will be asking KDF to roll out its capabilities to support other agencies in dealing with the situation,” Ruto noted.
Ruto further urged the new officials to stick to the mandate to which they were appointed to office, which is to serve the people of Kenya without bias.
You will have officers, men and women serving under you, be firm and fair so that we can grow the KDF and make it an institution that will provide for the security and integrity of our nation," Ruto said.
The head of state further urged the officials to adhere to the most important responsibility which was to protect the sovereignty of the nation and its citizens.
"Beyond the mandate you have, is to assist other security agencies in the overall security of the country as is required of you by the constitution," the president commented.
"You have my support, my prayers, my goodwill as you discharge your responsibilities,” he added.
The swearing-in ceremony comes a day after KDF announced changes to its leadership positions, with Kahariri replacing General Francis Ogolla as the new CDF.
