Next CDF? Meet Lt. Gen. Meet David Ketter, Kenya’s Rising Military Powerhouse

In a move signaling a possible future leadership shift at the top of Kenya’s military, President William Ruto on Friday, June 27, appointed Lieutenant General David Ketter as the new Kenya Army Commander. This powerful promotion positions Ketter just one step below the nation’s top military post, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). 

Ketter’s elevation from Major General to Lieutenant General is no small feat. As a three-star general, he now occupies one of the highest ranks in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). His new role as Army Commander places him at the center of national security decisions and next in line, if the trend continues, to take over as CDF. 

The reason Ketter is viewed as a likely successor to General Charles Kahariri, the current CDF, lies in Kenya’s unofficial military succession framework: the Tonje Rules. 

Named after General Daudi Tonje, who led the military from 1996 to 2001, the Tonje Rules are an unwritten but respected rotational system for choosing Kenya’s Chief of Defence Forces. These rules ensure: 

Fair rotation between the Army, Navy, and Air Force, Balanced representation across Kenya’s defence branches, Professionalism and predictability in appointments 

Under this framework: General Kahariri (current CDF) is from the Navy, His predecessor, General Francis Ogolla (Air Force), passed away in April 2024. Before that, General Robert Kibochi (Army) held the position. 

Since the Navy currently holds the top post, and the Army is next in line by rotation, Ketter, now Army Commander, becomes the top contender for CDF when Kahariri retires in 2028. 

Who Is Lt. Gen. David Ketter? 

While personal details remain under wraps (as is common with top brass), what we do know is impressive: 

Former ACDF for Personnel & Logistics, managing all human resources and operational logistics for KDF 

Extensive military leadership background, including international roles in military sports diplomacy 

Career spanning 25–30+ years, with steady progression through every major rank 

Highly trained in military strategy, command, and operations 

Such a trajectory is only possible through a consistent track record of discipline, leadership, and tactical excellence. 

Ketter replaces Lt. Gen. David Kimaiyo Tarus, who has been redeployed to serve as Vice Chancellor at the National Defence University-Kenya (NDU-K). 

Ketter officially assumed his new role on Saturday, June 28, during a prestigious investiture ceremony at State House, Nairobi. 

With a solid military résumé, decades of service, and strategic timing aligned with Kenya’s succession traditions, Lieutenant General David Ketter is undoubtedly one of the most powerful figures to watch in Kenya’s military landscape. 

If the Tonje Rules hold firm, Ketter could soon rise to become Kenya’s 13th Chief of Defence Forces, a title that comes with massive influence, responsibility, and service to the nation.