President Uhuru Kenyatta has promoted Lieutenant General Robert Kibochi to General, further naming him as Chief of Defence Forces designate.
The changes followed preparations for the exit of Samson Mwathethe whose term has come to an end and has been at the helm of the Kenya Defence Forces since April 2015.
Mwathethe has served in the military for 42 years.
Prior to his appointment, Kibochi was the vice chief of Defence Forces.
The President further appointed Lieutenant General Levi Mghalu as Vice Chief of Defence Forces designate.
Major Geneneral Jimson Mutai has been named Commander of the Kenya Navy designate.
“The officers are expected to assume office under their new positions, on May 11, 2020,” President Kenyatta said in a statement from State House on Thursday.
Levi was promoted from the rank of Major General to Lieutenant General; while Mutai was promoted from the rank of brigadier to Major General.
Uhuru thanked Mwathethe for his exemplary work during his tenure.
“Since your appointment as the Chief of Defence Forces five years ago (May 2015), we have seen significant expansion in our military and enviable improvement in the defence capability of our forces; thus giving Kenyans confidence that their borders are well protected from any external aggression,”he said.
Uhuru said the country was able to detect and expunge several plans by enemies during Mwathethe’s tenure.
“During your tenure, you proved that you are not just a military man, but a well rounded person, with the capacity to provide quality leadership in other initiatives of national importance,” he said.
The President pointed to Mwathathe’s role as the chairman in steering the Blue Economy Implementation Standing Committee.
