Chief of General staff of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) General Robert Kibochi has made history after becoming the first sitting military boss to earn a doctorate degree.
The KDF boss made the announcement on Thursday, July 21, where he noted that he would be recognized at a graduation ceremony to be held on Friday, July 22 in Kenyatta University.
Kibochi stated that the academic journey had been long and demanding due to the nature of his job but he had created time to finish his studies.
He credited his accomplishment to the family who he stated had to make sacrifices following his appointment to the head the KDF.
His PhD thesis focused on enhancing peace and stability in the Eastern African region - through the collaboration of the respective countries' security forces.
"I am delighted and honoured to be conferred with a doctorate of philosophy degree by Kenyatta University focusing on the stabilization of the Eastern Africa Region in the consolidation of collective security institutions.
"I am grateful to everyone who has offered me support in the journey. I will single out my family and colleagues for their moral support throughout the five-year journey," he stated.
He also took the moment to encourage young people to take their studies seriously and acquire the skills they needed to better their lives as well as contribute meaningfully to the society and world at large.
Kibochi expressed that great achievement demanded dedication and sacrifices in order to be accomplished.
"I had to create time to cover a very wide and complex area of study and I hope my effort will motivate the young leaders towards knowledge seeking that is necessary for a dynamic and complex security environment that we are currently in," he stated.
Unknown to many, the KDF boss was an accomplished academician who holds a master's degree in International Studies and Computer information systems.
Kibochi was appointed as the KDF boss in 2020 by President Uhuru Kenyatta following the departure of General Samson Mwathethe whose term had ended.
The veteran soldier joined the military in 1979 and was commissioned in the rank of a second lieutenant.
Kibochi will receive his doctorate degree alongside Uhuru's sister Kristina Pratt who is set to be an honorary degree tomorrow.
Other notable security officers who have received a PhD include former Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo who graduated from the University of Nairobi in 2020.
