Monday's decision by President Uhuru Kenyatta to extend the term of General Samson Mwathethe as Chief of Defense Forces effectively ended the illustrious military career of Lt General Robert Kibochi, the current Vice Chief of Defense Forces after reaching 60 years.
According to Tonje Rules, which were named after former Chief of Defense Forces General Daudi Tonje, a Lt General retires after reaching 60 years if he or she is not promoted to the next rank. This rule now technically rules out Kibochi as the heir of General Mwathethe having hit 60 this year.
Contrary to expectations of many, Uhuru extended the term of Mwathethe due to ongoing war against Al-Shabaab in Somalia. According to reports, on Monday, General Kibochi was about to take over and handing over ceremony had been commissioned. It's now clear why National Defense Council changed its decision.
"H. E Uhuru Kenyatta, the President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of armed forces, in consultations with National Defense Council, has extended the term of Chief of Defense Forces General Mwathethe for one year effective 6th May," read a memo by Ministry of Defense.
And now, Kibochi, who was born in 1959, will exit the military having come come very close being Kenya's 10th Chief of Defense Forces. He is expected to be replaced by Army Commander Lt General Walter Raria or Lt General Adan Mulata, who was elevated on Monday as Commandant National Defense College.
According to KDF records, Lt Gen R K Kibochi was enlisted into the Kenya Defence Forces on 18 May 1979 and underwent Officer Cadets Training until 30 March 1980 and commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant and posted to Signals Battalion.
He has held various command and staff appointments including his immediate former appointment as Commander of the Kenya Army, Assistant Chief of Defence Forces in charge of Operations, Plans, Doctrine and Training at Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Chief of Strategic Plans and Policy, Director International Peace Support Training Centre, Col Operations Requirements (CIS) and Commander Corps of Signals. Other appointments held include 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.
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 PhD 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.
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.