Has David Kimaiyo Tarus Been Sworn in as CDF to Replace Francis Ogolla?
On Monday, April 22, a video claiming that Lieutenant General David Kimaiyo Tarus, the Commander of the Kenya Army, had been appointed as the new Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) circulated widely for most of the morning.
This occurred after Kenya’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Francis Ogolla passed away in a helicopter crash on Thursday, April 18.
A fact-check conducted by gossipa2z.com confirmed that the video being shared online, along with its accompanying captions, had been altered.
The footage was recorded on March 8, 2024, at State House Nairobi during the promotion of Kimaiyo to commander of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
Gossipa2z.com has identified a circulating video as false because President William Ruto has not yet named a successor for Francis Ogolla.
Tarus, originally from Uasin Gishu County, joined the Kenya Army in 1988 and has since climbed the ranks to become one of the leading military officers in the country.
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The Ministry of Defence states that Tarus has worked as an instructor at the Peace Support Training Centre and the Joint Command and Staff College for the Grade Three Staff Course. Additionally, he has held the position of Senior Directing Staff at the Joint Warfare Centre.
He has also worked as a Staff Officer at the headquarters for both the Western and Eastern Commands, as well as at the Kenya Army and Defense Headquarters.
Kimaiyo has participated in several pertinent military courses, including programs at the National Defence College, Joint Warfare College, and the USA Leavenworth, among others.
Tarus is highly educated among the country’s soldiers, holding a Master of Science from the United States, a Bachelor of Military Science from Egerton University, and diplomas in Strategic Studies and International Relations from the University of Nairobi.
He has participated in a range of peacekeeping missions globally, including the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) and the United Nations and African Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).
It hasn’t been disclosed whether the distinguished lieutenant general is among those being considered to succeed the late CDF Ogolla.
Has David Kimaiyo Tarus Been Sworn in as CDF to Replace Francis Ogolla?
