Lieutenant General Robert Kariuki Kibochi has taken over as the new Chief of Defence Forces in a ceremony held at the Department of Defence in Hurlingham, Nairobi on Friday, May 8, 2020.
Kibochi takes over from General Samson Mwathethe, having previously served as his deputy.
Through a statement issued on Thursday, April 30, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced Kibochi's promotion to CDF along with several others.
The ceremony was graced by Attorney General Paul Kihara, Cabinet Secretary for Defence Monica Juma, former Defence CS and incumbent Foreign Affairs CS Rachel Omamo, Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai, officials from the Blue Economy Commission, principal secretaries, friends and family of Mwathethe and Kibochi.
Rt Gen Julius Karangia and Jeremiah Kianga were also present at the ceremony.
Kibochi, in his speech, thanked Mwathethe for being a great mentor to him throughout his service, acknowledging the crucial role he played in the country's security, and President Kenyatta for trusting him.
"I am pleased to extend our collective best wishes to Gen Mwathethe," Kibochi stated, noting the outgoing CDF's 42 years of exemplary service in the KDF.
"I am proud to take over from you having had great mentorship from you over the years," he added.
Mwathethe took over from Rt Lt Gen Julius Karangi as CDF in 2015, a challenging time for the country's security.
Mwathethe handed over Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) flag to CDF Designate Gen Kibochi and signed the change of command certificate.
The outgoing CDF inspected KDF parades for the last time, going on to take a ride with his successor Lt Gen Kibochi.
The ceremony was also marked by the launch of a KDF book, War for Peace, which details the force's efforts to restore peace in neighbouring Somalia as part of the Amisom peace mission and protecting our borders.
President Kenyatta on April 30, heaped praise on the outgoing KDF boss, acknowledging him for the exemplary service during his tenure.
"For you General Mwathethe, I wish you fair winds following seas; and the very best in your future endeavours," President Kenyatta stated
"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,” he remarked.
President Kenyatta had highlighted the milestones in blue economy as a career mark in Mwathethe's service, as he was the Implementation Standing Committee chairperson .
He asserted that the committee had made enormous contribution towards the realisation of the country's economic goals.
“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,” President Kenyatta stated.
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