Kenya’s commander-in-chief of the Defence forces, President Uhuru Kenyatta promoted Colonel Fatumah Ahmed to Brigadier on 11th August, 2015
The newly promoted Brigadier Fatumah Ahmed becomes the first servicewoman to rise to that senior position of the Kenya Defence Forces. Additionally, she was appointed to the post of Managing Director Defence Forces Medical Insurance Scheme (DEFMIS)
Brigadier Fatumah Ahmed enlisted in the Kenya Defence Forces in 1983 and served under the Women Service Corps before it was disbanded in 2000.
The Women Service Corps which was established in 1971 with the intentions of providing support for fighting units especially in the administrative roles. The Women Service Corps was also as a way of providing the women employment in the already male dominated field. Its disbandment came in 2000 after 27 years of existence after women ceased being treated as interest groups and proving their skills in the field as good as the men.
Two years after her enlisting, she was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant and posed to the Kenya Air Force.
Brigadier Ahmed has diligently served the republic of Kenya for 32 years through which she has risen to be the most powerful woman in KDF.
Some of the notable achievements and appointments during her 32 years of services include:
Battalion Second in Command
Staff Officer II Audit Personnel and Records
Staff Officer I Personnel and Administration
Colonel Personnel at the Kenya Air Force Headquarters
She is a graduate of the National Defence College which is an affiliate of the University of Nairobi- Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies. She graduated from the Defence Staff College in 2000 and holds a Diploma in Management from Strathmore University.
Brigadier Ahmed is not only experienced and qualified owing to her years of service but she is also very academically accomplished.
