Despite widespread opposition, President William Ruto has explained why he picked Lt. General Francis Omondi Ogolla as the next Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).
During a joint media interview from State House on Sunday, Ruto stated that he had been urged not to appoint General Ogolla due to allegations that he was part of a team that attempted to reverse his presidential election in September 2022.
Despite this, Ruto stated that his qualifications exceeded his previous actions and that he was the best-suited applicant for the post.
"General Ogolla was one of the people who went to Bomas to try to overturn my victory, but when I looked at his CV, he was the best of the best candidate for the job." "Many things in my system outweighed what he had done," he explained.
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He also stated that he prefers careful appointments and that his judgments are not influenced by an individual's affiliation as long as they have a good track record.
"I could have appointed anyone; I had about ten options. Some say I chose Ogolla because he was the deputy CDF, but that is not true." I made the decision deliberately and despite the advice of many individuals."
He further stated that previous to the appointment, he spoke with Ogolla, who admitted to playing a role in attempting to derail the presidential victory.
Ruto stated that at the discussion, he made it evident that he would still appoint him since he has exceptional merit.
"I summoned him and sat him down," I informed him, my friend, that you went to Bomas to overturn my triumph, but because you are the gifted person for the job, I will give you the job. "That's how it works for me," he explained.
"He told me, 'I have no defence, do whatever you want with me.'" What I did needs to be corrected. What piqued my interest was the possibility that this individual committed a mistake because the commander-in-chief told him what to do."
General Ogolla assumed command on April 29, succeeding General Robert Kariuki Kibochi, whose term had expired.
Before his appointment, he was the Vice Chief of the Defence Forces (VCDF).
