Faith Nyasuguta
Major General Fatuma Ahmed continues to make history, becoming the first woman to lead any service branch within the Kenyan Armed Forces. On May 2nd, President William Ruto appointed her Commander of the Kenya Air Force, solidifying her position as a pioneer for women in military leadership.
General Ahmed’s journey is a series of “firsts.” In 2015, she shattered a glass ceiling when promoted to Brigadier, a rank previously unattainable for women in the male-dominated military. This recent appointment marks another significant milestone.
But who is this trailblazer? In 2023, General Ahmed was already making waves as the Senior Directing Staff Air. She holds the distinction of being the first Kenyan woman soldier to reach the prestigious rank of Major General. This promotion came after her service as Assistant Chief of the Defence Forces, overseeing personnel and logistics.
According to the Ministry of Defence, General Ahmed enlisted in 1983, initially serving with the Women Service Corps. Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1985, she later transitioned to the Kenya Air Force in 1999.
Interestingly, her military career began by chance. Returning home from school in 1983, she encountered a recruitment drive happening near military offices. Intrigued, she inquired about joining, and fatefully, began officer cadet training the following year.
General Ahmed’s impressive career path includes several notable positions: Battalion Second in Command, Staff Officer for Audit Personnel and Records, Staff Officer for Personnel and Administration, Colonel of Personnel at Air Force Headquarters, and even Managing Director of the Defence Forces Medical Insurance Scheme.
Her dedication to education is evident. She graduated from the National Defence College, a prestigious military institution affiliated with the University of Nairobi’s Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies. She’s also an alumnus of the Defence Staff College (graduating in 2000) and holds a Diploma in Management from Strathmore University College.
Previously, under ex-Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, General Ahmed received another promotion in 2019, becoming a Major General. With her recent appointment, she continues to inspire and pave the way for future generations of female leaders within the Kenyan military.
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