Key Highlights
Army veteran General Robert Kibochi appointed as the new Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) boss.
General Kibochi to take over from the retiring Samson Jefwa Mwathethe on May 11.
President Kenyatta made the announcement on Thursday, 30th April 2020. The President who is also the Commander in Chief of the Defense Forces also promoted Major General Levi Mghalu to Lieutenant General and appointed him the Vice Chief of Defense Forces.
General Kibochi has previously served as Commander of the Kenya Army and the Assistant Chief of Defense Forces in charge of Operations, Plans, Doctrine and Training.
President Uhuru Kenyatta who is the Commander in Chief of Kenya Defense Force has appointed General Robert Kibochi as the new Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) to replace the retiring Gen Samson Jefwa Mwathethe.
General Robert Kibochi, an army veteran for 39 years will take office on May 11 and will be in office when Kenya holds the 2022 general elections.
The Commander in Chief also promoted Major General Levi Mghalu to Lieutenant General and appointed him the Vice Chief of Defense Forces.
Also, Brigadier Jimson Mutai was promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed the Commander of the Kenya Navy. He is the outgoing Base Commander at Mtongwe Navy Base.
The President Kenyatta also thanked General Mwathethe for his selfless service to his motherland, and wished him the very best in his future endeavors.
General Kibochi’s Brief Profile
General Robert Kibochi has been the Vice Chief of Defense Forces since 2018.
The General previously served as Commander of the Kenya Army and the Assistant Chief of Defense Forces in charge of Operations, Plans, Doctrine and Training.
General Kibochi was the commander of the Kenyan contingent that served in UN Mission in Sierra Leone from 2000 to 2001.
Other appointments held include, Chief of Staff at the East Africa Standby Force, SO1 Records at Headquarters Kenya Army (HQ, KA), Also SO1 Comms HQ, KA, SO1 Mobilization DHQ, SO1 Comms CIS DHQ and SOII Operations and Training at the HQ of the Corps Signals.
The General holds a Master’s degree in International Studies and is currently pursuing a PhD in conflict management. His other professional training include; National Security Studies at the National Defense College (Kenya). Army Command and Staff Course (UK), Overseas Telecoms Engineering Course (UK), Signals officers Degree Telecommunications Engineering Course (India), Sub Unit Commanders Course, Platoon Commanders Course, Regimental Signal Officers Course among other training courses.
The position of Chief of Defense Forces rotates among the three military disciplines; Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force and the Kenya Navy. The CDF serves for one term of four years with a possible extension by one year but at the preference of the Commander in Chief.
Other Appointments
Three Deputy Service Commanders were also appointed. They include, Major Gen. Albert Kendagor, who has been posted to the Kenya Army headquarters and appointed its Deputy Commander.
Brigadier John Omenda, who has been posted to the Kenya Air Force headquarters and appointed Deputy Commander, and Brigadier Lawrence Gituma who will be Kenya Navy’s Deputy Commander.
The New Deputy Service Commanders are Major General Albert Kendagor (Kenya Army), Brigadier Lawrence Gituma (Kenya Navy) and Brigadier John Omenda, who takes over as the second-in-command at the Kenya Air Force.
The President also promoted several officers from Brigadier to Major General and gave them new appointments.
They include, Peter Njiru (Commandant Kenya Military Academy), William Shume (Border Security Command), Charles Kahariri (Senior Directing Staff Maritime National Defense College) and Rashid Elmi (Senior Directing Staff Air National Defense College).
Col. (Dr) Milton Obilo was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Chief of Medical Services at the Defense headquarters while Colonel Maroa Gati was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Commandant Recruits Training School.
Brigadier Joakim Mwamburi appointed the Commandant, School of Infantry while Major General Thomas Chepkuto was posted to Super Pool while on secondment to Diplomatic Service.
Brigadier Dennis Kamuri was named the Deputy Managing Director of the Kenya Ordnance Factories Corporation and Brigadier William Kombe was posted to Super Pool while on secondment to Diplomatic Service.
Brigadier Godfrey Buluma was appointed the Commandant of the Defense Forces Memorial.
