General Samson Mwathethe officially took over office on Monday as the new Chief of Defence Forces following his recent appointment by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The handing over ceremony which took place at the Department of Defence (DOD) headquarters in Hurlingham saw the 57 year old assume office following the retirement of Julius Karangi.
Retired Chief of Defence Forces Julius Karangi handed over the mantle to Mwathethe after 42 years of devoted service to his country, Kenya.
The incoming Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Samson Wathethe has previously served as the Vice Chief of the Defence Forces. He has also successfully served as Kenya Navy Commander, Deputy Kenya Navy Commander, Base Commander and Fleet Commander.
See also Other Military Appointments in Kenya
Internationally, Mwathethe has served as the United Nations military observer in Kuwait and Yugoslavia in 1991 and 1992.
Born in Malindi, Gen Samson J Mwathethe takes up office at a time when Kenya’s security is one of the most crucial and sensitive department with both local and international focus on it.
His predecessor, Rtd. Gen Julius Karangi has won the public for his diligent service in the various operations against Al Shabaab militia group. Kenyan military forces have successfully liberated major towns in Somalia under Karangi’s watch.
These changes are expected to bolster the country’s security system, as the government and the public begin to have confidence in the country’s security system.
Gen. Samson Mwathethe is expected to embrace the mantle and take up security in Kenya a notch higher.
Photo Courtesy of Collins Kweyu | The Star
