STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY UHURU KENYATTA, PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE FORCES OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA, ON CHANGES IN GOVERNMENT
As part of the continued alignment of functions in my administration, and in order to enhance service delivery, I have today made the following changes in Government:
Kenya Defence Forces
1. Reflecting democratic values, fidelity to our constitution in regard to the primacy of civilian oversight to the security sector, the Defence Council sat today and agreed on the succession of another set of general staff officer cadre to lead our Defence Forces.
General Dr Julius Waweru Karangi will commence the handover process starting next week pending retirement as Chief of Defence Forces after more than four decades of distinguished service to our country, the region and humankind.
I take this opportunity to thank General Karangi for his dedicated service to Kenya that was marked by diligence, great commitment, humility and patriotism. General Karangi leaves our Defence Forces in a much better place both professionally and operationally.
On the advice of the National Defence Council, I have today promoted Lieutenant-General Samson J. Mwathethe to General and appointed him Chief of Defence Forces-Designate.
Further, I have appointed Lieutenant-General Joseph K. Kasaon as the Vice Chief of Defence Forces-Designate. I have also promoted Major-General Leonard M. Ngondi to Lieutenant-General and appointed him Kenya Army Commander-Designate.
Re-organisation of Government
2. Cognisant of the need to focus attention on water as a driver of agricultural development, I have created a Ministry of Water and Irrigation Services. I have nominated the Hon. Eugene Wamalwa as the Cabinet Secretary.
3. In addition, I have nominated the following personalities to serve in Government.
a) Amb. Dr Monica Juma, nominee for the position of Secretary to the Cabinet
b) Retired Major-General Gordon Kihalangwa, nominee for the position of Principal Secretary, Department of Interior, Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government
4. I have also appointed Mr Nzioka Waita as Secretary of Delivery in the Executive Office of the President.
I look forward to the National Assembly, in line with its mandate, to vet the nominees as soon as possible.
Uhuru Kenyatta
President
17 April 2015
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