The first female major-general of the Kenya Defence Forces took the oath of office on Friday during a ceremony graced by President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House.

Mr Kenyatta could not hide his joy as Fatuma Ahmed officially took responsibilities in an office that has never been occupied by a woman in Kenya before.

"It's my pride and joy today to launch the first Kenyan woman as a major general in the Republic of Kenya.

"I'm looking at you and counting on you to be a positive role model to other women and to prove to them that there are no limits," he said.

Fatuma’s impeccable career has been coupled with many firsts that has seen her occupy high ranking positions. In 2015 President Kenyatta appointed her as the first woman Brigadier in the country.

She joined KDF in 1983 and served under the Women Service Corps.

In her 35 years of service, Brigadier Ahmed has held an array of positions including; Battalion Second in Command (BN 2IC), Staff Officer II Audit Personnel and Records, Staff Officer I Personnel and Administration, Colonel Personnel at the Kenya Air Force Headquarters and Managing Director, Defence Forces Medical Insurance Scheme.

Academics

Major-general Ahmed graduated from the esteemed National Defence College and the Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies.

She also has a Diploma in Management from Strathmore University College.