It is just a matter of days before President Uhuru Kenyatta oversees major promotions that would also have General Samson Mwathethe, replaced as KDF chief, four years after taking over.
Chief of Defense Forces, formally known as Chief of General Staff, is the highest military rank in Kenya. The position is held by a General, also the highest military rank, popularly known as four star general.
With Mwathethe's exit causing anxiety among possible replacements, it's however a guarantee that it must be an army man, based on the Tonje rules that requires the position to be rotational. Nine men have served in the position since independence.
1. Major-General Bernard Pitfold: The British Major-General was appointed by President Jomo Kenyatta in 1966 and served until 1969. He is credited for 'Africanising' the military. He came from Army wing.
2. Major-General Joseph Ndolo: He was the first African to head the Kenyan military and was appointed in 1969. He was sacked in 1971 after being linked to an attempted coup. Although he was not tried, Ndolo is said to have been opposed to President Jomo Kenyatta.
3. General Jackson Mulinge: To date, Mulinge remains the longest serving military General. He took over Ndolo and had a sparkling career on top of military for 15 years.
He was the first military officer to occupy the office of Chief of General Staff. Later, in 1982, Mulinge was in charge when the military succeeded in folding a mutiny by Air Force men. He retired in 1986. He would later be elected Kathiani MP.
4. General Mohamoud Mohammed: The former Deputy Army Commander is credited for leading an operation against Air Force men. He managed to capture KBC and Eastleigh Air Base. He's the least educated man to have ever held that position.
General Mohamoud, was recruited to school of infantry, the lowest rank in military. He was in charge from 1986-96.
5. General Daudi Tonje: The army man probably remembered for his radical changes in the military. Born in Baringo, Tonje allowed Women Service Cops to marry when he took over. He also abolished the service cops, joining it with other military officers.
He introduced term limits for Chief of Defense Forces. Popularly known as Tonje Rules, the top military cop retires after serving a single term of one year or after attaining 64 years. He also abolished payment of army through queues.
6. General Joseph Kibwana: He was the first Navy man to lead the military. Kibwana took over from Tonje in 2000 and served until 2005.
General Kibwana oversaw the first smooth transition in Kenya's leadership after President Daniel Moi handed over to Mwai Kibaki.
7. General Jeremiah Kianga: The army man took over from Kibwana in 2005 and served until 2011. He is a renowned disciplinarian who axed officers who were overweight.
During his tenure, he introduced military science studies for KDF officers. He first partnered with Egerton University then Kenyatta University.
8. General Julius Karangi: The Air Force man took over from Kianga in 2011. It's during his time that Kenya went for war in Somalia.
General Karangi also oversaw smooth transition from Mwai Kibaki to President Uhuru Kenyatta. He retired in 2015.
9. General Samson Mwathethe: He's the second Navy man to take over charge in military. His tenure expired this April and is set to be replaced by an army man. Lt General Robert Kibochi is at pole position to take over.