Gen. Robert Kibochi – What You Need To Know About New Kenyan Military Chief

Today April 30 2020, The Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta appointed Lt. General Robert Kibochi as the new Kenya military chief. Major General Robert Kibochi will replace General Samson Mwathere who will retire on May 11.

While speaking to the top military brass at State House, Nairobi, President Kenyatta applauded the yet to retire Mwathethe his achievement so far during his tenure.

“Since your appointment as the Chief of Defence Forcesfive 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,” the President said.

Related: Watch As Gen Samson Mwathethe  Hand Over To CDF Designate Gen Robert Kibochi.

He cited the Blue Economy as one of Mwathethe’s major achievements, having been the Chairman of the Implementation Standing Committee.

Further more the President spoke about The Committee stating that they have made substantive progress in re-establishing the Kenya National Shipping Line, as part of the Blue Economy Programme.

“Once fully completed and operational, this will, indeed, enable us, as a country, exploit the potential we have in the blue economy, and consequently create thousands of jobs for our young men and women. It is my hope that you and I will continue collaborate in this effort,” the president said.

Brief Biography Of Gen. Robert Kibochi New Kenyan Military Chief

In 2016, Gen. Robert Kibochi was appointed the Commander of the Kenya Army.

Gen. Robert Kibochi is in his  60’s.

The new Chief of Defense Forces Gen Robert Kariuki Kibochi is a son of Nyandarua, although he moved from Njoro after the 1992 tribal clashes

Gen. Robert Kibochi went to Ndururumo high school and afterwards he gained admission to study at Kenyatta University.

He worked as Assistant Chief of Defence Forces in charge of Operations, Plans, Doctrine and Training at Defence Headquarters (DHQ)

He was the former Chief of Strategic Plans and Policy, Director International Peace Support Training Centre, Col Operations Requirements (CIS) and Commander Corps of Signals

Chief of Staff at the Eastern Africa Standby Force, SO1 Records at Headquarter Kenya Army (HQ KA), SO1 Comms HQ KA, SO1 Mobilization DHQ, SO1 Comms CIS DHQ and SOII Operations and Training at the HQ of the Corps of Signals.

He served with the United Nations as Commander of Kenyan Contingent in the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) from 2000 – 2001; while his decorations include Moran of the Order of the Golden Heart (MGH) and Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS) among others.

Lt Gen Kibochi has earned Masters Degree of Arts in International Studies, Masters Degree in Computer Based Information Systems, Bachelors of Technology in Communication and Electronics Engineering, and is currently pursuing Ph.d degree in Peace and Conflict Management.

His other professional training include National Security Studies at the National Defence College (Kenya). Army Command and Staff Course (UK), Overseas Telecoms Engineering Course (UK), Signal Officers Degree Telecommunications Engineering Course (India), Sub Unit Commanders Course, Platoon Commanders Course, Regimental Signal Officers Course among other training courses.

Official Hand Over

Former Chief of Defense Gen Samson Mwathethe officially handed over to the new appointed CDF Robert Kibochi on Friday 8 May 2020.

Below are the live pictures.