Assistant Chief of Defense Forces Personnel and Logistics, Major General Fatuma Ahmed, on Tuesday opened East Africa military games planning conference in Nairobi.

Do you have a lead on a newsworthy story? Share news tips with us here at Hivisasa!

The conference addresses logistics and planning ahead of the main games which starts in August. Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi military have participated in the games for decades.

While opening the week-long conference, Major General Fatma Ahmed commended the strides that had been made in the planning of the Games and Cultural Event, noting that most of the planning milestones had already been realised.

“I note that these Planning Conferences have been designed to share information and planning experiences on the EAC Military Games and Cultural Event. 

"It is therefore my hope that the Host Nation presentation will highlight on the status of all planning aspects for your consideration and guidance,” she said. 

She also underscored the importance of sports in the promotion of peace and friendship, pointing out that the society continues to look upon the military to set a good example. 

Fatuma expressed her pride in the way EAC countries had continued to demonstrate solidarity and sportsmanship regionally and internationally. 

Last year, Major General Ahmed became the first ever woman in the KDF to hold the rank. She was elevated by President Uhuru Kenyatta, two years after also becoming the first ever female soldier to serve in the Brigadier rank.

“It is my pride and joy today to launch the first Kenyan woman as a major-general in the republic. I am counting on you to be a role model to the women in this republic and to prove to them that there is no limits for the Kenyan women,” Mr Kenyatta told Maj-Gen Ahmed.

Upon the retirement of Chief of Defense Forces General Samson Mwathethe in May 2020, Fatuma is at pole position to become Air Force Commander, given that the retirement will automatically have the current holder, Major General Francis Ogolla, promoted to Vice Chief of Defense Forces.

Kenya is set to host the 12th East Africa Military Games and Cultural Event in August 2019. The event draws together soldiers from the East African member countries who participate in various ball games and athletics for two weeks.