Silvia Jemutai, a Kenyan serving in the US Army, has been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. The promotion ceremony occurred on November 14, 2025, at Fort Lee in Virginia. She dedicates the rank to her late mother, Jacqueline Alice Kirui.
Silvia Jemutai, born in Kopsiya village, Poror Ward, Eldama Ravine constituency, Baringo County, has been officially promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army. The special ceremony took place on November 14, 2025, at the Fort Lee hall in Virginia. Her family and friends from Kenya and the US attended the event.
Lieutenant Colonel Jemutai stated she intends to use the rank to honor her late mother, Jacqueline Alice Kirui, whose guidance helped her achieve this success. This promotion makes her the highest-ranking Kenyan soldier in the US Army at present.
A post by Gotabgaa International on Facebook on November 18, 2025, read: “Huyu ni Meja Silvia Jemutai kutoka Kopsiya, Poror, Eldama Ravine. Alipandishwa cheo rasmi kuwa Luteni Kanali katika Jeshi la Amerika wakati wa sherehe iliyofanyika Novemba 14, katika Fort Lee, Virginia.” It added: “Pongezi Luteni Kanali Silvia Jemutai……… sasa Mkenya mwenye cheo cha juu zaidi katika Jeshi la Amerika, binti halisi wa Kenya…. fahari ya Kenya.”
In the US Army, a Lieutenant Colonel typically supervises between 300 and 1,000 soldiers or holds major responsibilities at Army headquarters. This promotion marks a significant milestone in Jemutai's military career and highlights Kenyan achievements in foreign armed forces.