Col. Zipporah Kioko Appointed KDF’s First-Ever Female Spokesperson

Colonel Zipporah Kioko has been appointed as the new spokesperson of Kenya Defense Forces (KDF).

Ms. Kioko was named to the position in the latest changes announced by Defense Cabinet Secretary Dr. Monica Juma and becomes the first-ever female KDF spokesperson.

She takes over from her predecessor Col. Paul Njuguna, who is set to be redeployed after undergoing an advanced course.

CS Juma indicated that the appointment of Col. Kioko is in line with changes in the military initiated by President Kenyatta through the launching of the National Defense Policy and the Gender Policy in 2017.

“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,” CS Juma said.

On April 30th, President Uhuru made new promotions and appointments in the military. In the changes, Kioko was promoted to full colonel, joining the list of a few women in that rank and above.

Her appointment came after Uhuru named General Robert Kibochi the new Chief of Defense Forces last week, succeeding Gen. Samson Mwathethe, who proceeded on retirement.