KDF Makes History By Naming First Female Spokesperson

The Kenya Defense Force (KDF) has appointed Ms. Zipporah Kioko as the new spokesperson, making her the first female to hold such a position in the forces.

Ms. Kioko has been appointed to replace Colonel Paul Njuguna who will be deployed to a different position after completing an advanced course.

Other than being a KDF spokesperson Ms. Kioko has also been promoted to full Colonel, making her the few military officers holding that position.

Ms. Kioko was among the 138 senior officers in the defense forces who were appointed and promoted by President Uhuru Kenyatta on April 30, 2020.

Confirming the appointment on Friday, May 8, 2020, Defense Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma thanked outgoing Defense officer General Mwathethe for bringing gender balance in the forces.

“I thank you most sincerely for supporting gender mainstreaming in KDF, where for the first time we have a number of women officers who have been promoted to serve in senior positions. I am delighted that we in this cohort have the first woman spokesperson of the KDF and look forward to working with Col Zipporah Kioko,” Dr. Juma said.

Ms. Kioko’s appointment was part of the policies launched in 2017 by the Department of Defense Gender and National Defense to help streamline the Military forces.

“The Gender Policy adopts the global best practice, in line with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on women peace and security. Reference and implementation of these policy documents will positively impact our future as a professional military,” the CS said.

The military has been known for barring women from holding senior commanding positions for a long period.

Up to now, very few women hold senior positions in the military. The renowned women are Major General Fatuma Ahmed, Lt Col Rachel Nduta, Major (Dr) Stella Mwangi, and Maj Faith Mwagandi among others.