First Kenyan appointed Royal Honorary Air Commodore

Veronica Moraa Pickering has been appointed Honorary Air Commodore of the Royal Air Force, the aerial division of the British armed forces making her the first first black woman and Kenyan to be appointed to the position.

Image source: Group Captain Jo Lincoln MBE (Twitter)

Pickering who was born in Kenya and later moved to the United Kindom with her parents in the late 60s will be serving senior to Group Captain Jo Lincoln MBE and immediately subordinate to air vice-marshal. In her new role, she will be expected to hold senior appointments within the military aviation units and support the Air Officer Commanding directly. Before her appointment by the queen, Pickering was working with UK based NGOs.

Kenya’s High Commissioner to the U.K, Manoah Esipisu congratulated Pickering on her appointment and encouraged her to aim to rise up the ranks.

Congratulations @vkpickering on being the first black woman and Kenyan to be appointed RAF Honorary Air Commodore. You definitely are making history. You will notch another first when you take up royal appointment as High Sheriff in 2023. Pongezi sana. @kdfinfo @StateHouseKenya https://t.co/Zp5OysfUy6 pic.twitter.com/GzJNSpFpWV

— Manoah Esipisu MBS (@MEsipisu) July 5, 2021

On her part, she expressed her excitement adding that it was a chance to be “able to represent the most amazing people.”

Featured Image: Veronicah Pickering (Twitter)