Major General Fatuma Ahmed has been appointed as the commander of the air force in Kenya, making her the first woman to lead a military branch in the country.

This significant announcement comes after a tragic helicopter crash that resulted in the loss of several military officers, including the chief of defense forces.

Alongside Major General Ahmed, General Charles Muriu Kahariri has also been appointed to a leadership position within the military. The Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts, and Heritage expressed their enthusiasm for this historic appointment, highlighting its importance for Kenyan women and its potential to inspire young women and girls aspiring to similar positions.

Major General Ahmed began her military career in 1983, joining the Women Service Corps, which later integrated women into various branches of the military. Her promotion to the rank of major general in 2018 was seen as a significant milestone, with then-president Uhuru Kenyatta emphasizing the importance of her role as a positive role model.

This recent appointment as the commander of the air force further solidifies Major General Ahmed’s trailblazing journey. It is worth noting that such appointments of women to senior military roles remain rare in Africa, with General Brigitte Onganoa of Gabon making history as the first woman defense minister in September 2020.