Nairobi, May 4 -- The appointment of Maj-Gen Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed as service commander in Kenya - and probably Africa - is a gendered story of determination and resilience intertwined with the progress made by women in the military.

From entering the military when women were not allowed to marry or have children to clawing her way to the coveted service commander position, Maj-Gen Ahmed's rise is a milestone.

In the early days of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), a camp was specifically built for the seven Women Service Corps members at Eastleigh Air Base Officers Mess while the rest of the officers went to the barracks.

Among them were Maj P.N. Ikua, Judy Angaine and later Maj-Gen Ikua.

Were it not for Gen Daudi Tonje's foresight, Maj-Ge...