Ruto banks on military generals for 'tough' ambassadorial postings

President William Ruto's decision to send two newly retired senior military generals to two Asian countries underscores his government's continued reliance on the military for tough assignments.

Lt Gen Jonah Mwangi, the immediate former Vice Chief of Defence Forces was on Friday nominated as Ambassador of Kenya to Tehran, Iran, while Lt Gen Peter Mbogo, the immediate former Army commander was nominated as Ambassador of Kenya to Islamabad, Pakistan.

While leading their swearing-in and investiture of ranks ceremony early Friday morning, President Ruto said their nomination for the two positions was deliberate and was done to fill positions that required extensive experience to manage.

"General Mwangi and General Njiru, my very best wishes as you transit into your new responsibilities in the service of the nation, pongezeni sana. I must also say, I was privileged to work with General Mwangi as V/CDF and General Njiru as our army commander and they have discharged their responsibilities with distinction."

"I look forward to working with you in your new responsibilities. I have given you difficult responsibilities. Tehran and Islamabad are not very easy stations but I know that you are up to that responsibility. Pakistan, we all know what is going on there, we also know what is going on in Iran and that is why I believe that senior citizens like yourselves who have wide experience are the best people to man those stations."

The nomination of the two retired generals to Iran and Pakistan is the latest of his government's deployment of serving and retired military officers in positions of leadership.

In October last year, he appointed Lieutenant General (Rtd) Albert Kendagor's appointment to lead Kenya's mission in Tel Aviv, Israel. He also President Ruto appointed former Chief of Defence Forces General (Rtd) Julius Karangi as Chancellor, of Dedan Kimathi University of Technology.

In February last year, he also appointed former Chief of Defence Forces General (Rtd) Samson Mwathethe as the non-executive Chairperson of the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI).

"I am confident that the positions you now occupy, are positions you will use to build the military as an institution. The strength of a nation comes from the strength of institutions that make up the nation. Our KDF is a very important institution in the Republic of Kenya, it is amongst the critical institutions that provide stability to the country; without security and stability, it becomes much more difficult to achieve all the other aspirations (for economic, social and political progress) as a nation," President Ruto said during the investiture of ranks ceremony at the State House Nairobi.

During the event, newly promoted officers were installed with their respective ranks' medals and took their oath of office.

Those who took their oath of office include the new V/CDF Lt Gen Charles Muriu Kahariri and the two newly appointed service commanders, Lt General David Kimaiyo Tarrus (Army) and Major General Thomas Njoroge Ng'ang'a (Navy).

In his speech, he hinted at his reasons for his growing reliance on the military to accomplish some of his key projects in the country

"I am very proud of our Kenya Defence Forces and the entire security fraternity for their patriotism, professionalism and dedication to the people and the republic of Kenya. You have contributed immensely to the progress of our republic by making sure that you discharge your responsibilities ensuring the stability of our nation so that the rest of the progress in social-economic and political arenas can progress," he said.

Some of the projects that he has tasked the military include the rehabilitation of the Kenyatta International Conference Centre and the building of the upcoming 60,000 Talanta Sports Stadium at Jamhuri grounds in Nairobi.

"I will expect our defence team, Aden Duale, the CDF and the team to make sure all the timelines we have agreed are kept by the contractor and I expect that there will be supervision every week, every two weeks and I will be here myself every three months until this facility is complete," President Ruto said during the facility's groundbreaking ceremony, earlier this week.