Kenya Gets First Female Air Force Commander

The Kenya Air Force Commander, Major General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed, was appointed on Thursday, May 2, making history as the nation’s first female commander of any branch of the armed forces.

Following her 2015 promotion to the rank of brigadier, Ahmed made history years ago. She held this rank as the first female military officer.

2018 saw her elevated to the rank of Major General by former President Uhuru Kenyatta. In the KDF, she was also the first woman to achieve such heights.

Ahmed was posted by Ruto to the National Defence College in May 2023. He gave her senior directing staff positions.

Approximately one year afterwards, Ruto bestowed upon Ahmed yet another honour when she was appointed as the Kenya Air Force’s commander.

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In 1983, Maj Gen Ahmed enrolled in the Kenya Defence Forces and served under the Women Service Corps, according to a Ministry of Defence document.

In 1985, she received her commission as a Second Lieutenant, and in 1999, she was sent to the Kenya Air Force.

She had previously disclosed that she had “accidentally” joined the military. She claimed that in 1983, after finishing secondary school, she was on her way home from school when she passed a stadium close to the military offices, which were at the time doing a recruiting exercise.

As luck would have it, Major General Fatuma would inquire about enlisting, and the next year she enlisted as an officer cadet.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli