Impending retirement of Chief of General Staff Samsom Mwathethe lergely informed President Uhuru Kenyatta's KDF shuffles that were effected at State House on Friday, a military source has revealed.
Mwathethe, who has been at the helm since 2015, will be exiting service in 2019 after completion of his four years in charge.
Routinely, the lucrative position, held by a five-star general, is rotated among the Army, Navy and Air-force within a span of four years.
His exit, a military source adds, would automatically pave way for Army commander to take over, thus necessitating changes in the command by the president.
"The changes were largely informed by Mwathethe's retirement next year. Once he exits, Army will take charge thus the changes.
"In fact, you saw Joseph Kasaon retiring due to what they called illness. It is much complicated than how ordinary people may understand," said the Air-force officer.
Uhuru retired Lt. Gen Kasaon, the KDF deputy, who was to be automatic replacement of Mwathethe. He comes from the Rift Valley region thus raising eyebrows.
His position was taken by Lt. General Robert Kibochi, whom the President showered with praises on Friday at State House. He is now automatic heir to Mwathethe.
"I don't have much to say but I would like to thank you for your services. Especially, Kibochi, who has served the service with diligence and his colleagues."
The changes also paved way for Walter Raria to head Kenya Army while the unprecedented retirement of Air-force boss Samuel Thuita, who was due to be appointed as an ambassador, saw Maj. General Francis Ogolla appointed to replace him.
Interestingly, Kenya had her first female Maj.General appointed, Ahmed Fatuma from Air-force, who will be assistant CDF in charge of personnel.
Although military changes are not informed by politics, decision to replace Kibochi (who hails from central) with Kasaon raises questions about the 2022 succession politics.
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