The eminent Kenya Military changes expected this month will place Lt Gen Samson Mwathethe at the top command of the military, Intelligence sources have revealed.
The announcements are in line with the meeting of senior commanders to discuss appointments, promotions and postings.
The Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Julius Karangi is expected to retire after 42 years of service.
Vice Chief of the Defence Forces Lt Gen Samson Mwathethe of the Kenya Navy is best placed to succeed Gen Karangi.
The 64 years old Karangi goes down Kenya’s list of most praised men for the successful military operation against the Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia under Operation Linda Nchi.
For this, he became the first four-star general to be decorated by the US military in 2014 for his role in the KDF offensive in Somalia.
The sources said the decision to announce the changes would be made either today or next week.
Lt Gen Samson Mwathethe joined the Kenya Navy in April 1978. He was commissioned in 1980 as a Seaman Officer after attending Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth.
He has undertaken advanced courses on International Sub-Lieutenants (UK), International Principal Warfare (UK) and missiles (Italy).
Decorated career According to the DOD, he also attended the Defence Resource Management training in Monterey, USA, in 1998.
He is a former Kenya Navy Commander and has also served as the Kenya Navy Logistics Commander, Base Commander Mtongwe and Fleet Commander.
His other appointments included Chief of Systems and Procurement Department of Defence, Command of individual Kenya Navy Ships, SOII Operations at Navy Headquarters, 86 Squadron Commander, and SOI Co-ordination at the Department of Defence.
His decorations include Distinguished Conduct Order and Moran of the Burning Spear, among others.
SIS sources said the Commandant of the National Defence College, Lt Gen J N Waweru is also being considered as Lt Gen Mwathethe’s deputy.
