From Accidental Enlistment to Historic Air Force Command: Major Gen Fatuma’s Unlikely Journey
President William Ruto on Thursday promoted Brigadier Fatuma Ahmed to Major General and named her the Commander of the Kenya Airforce, the first woman to hold the position in Kenya’s history.
Before her appointment to the position on May 2, Fatuma served as the Senior Directing Staff Air, a position she attained after her appointment by President Ruto in 2023.
Major General Fatuma first grabbed the headlines in August 2015 when she was promoted to Brigadier, a post no woman had held in the male-dominated Kenyan military.
Beginning a Military Career
Major General Gaiti began her military journey unexpectedly.
After finishing her high school education in 1983, she was merely seeking her ID card when she stumbled upon a military recruitment event.
She decided to give it a shot and was surprised when she was chosen to join the military.
She started at the Kenya Military Academy as an officer cadet in 1984 and was promoted to Second Lieutenant in the Kenya Air Force in 1985.
Additionally, the Major General has served as a Battalion Second in Command (BN 2IC) Staff Officer II Audit Personnel and Records.
She also held the position of a Staff Officer in personnel and Administration and as Colonel Personnel at the Kenya Air Force Headquarters and Managing Director Defence Forces Medical Insurance Scheme.
Education
Maj Gen Ahmed is a graduate of the National Defence College, a training facility for senior commanders in the Military of Kenya, including the army, navy, air force, and special forces.
She is also an alumnus of the Defence Staff College where she graduated in July 2000, in addition, she holds a Diploma in Management from Strathmore University College.
Other Appointments
On Wednesday, Major General Fatuma Ahmed was appointed to lead the Air Force, while Major General Paul Owour Otieno was posted to the Kenya Navy and also appointed commander.
Meanwhile, Brigadier Samuel Kosgei Kipkorir was appointed to deputize her as the Deputy Commander of the Kenya Air Force.
From Accidental Enlistment to Historic Air Force Command: Major Gen Fatuma’s Unlikely Journey