This archive report was first published on 11 May 2020.
President Uhuru Kenyatta on May 11, 2020, at State House, Nairobi, witnessed the swearing in of General Robert Kibochi as the new Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces (CDF).
General Kibochi takes over the leadership of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) from General Samson Mwathethe, who retired after serving as CDF for five years.
Speaking during the ceremony, President Kenyatta commended the KDF for upholding merit and professionalism, which has enabled the institution to have a predictable and stable career management system for its officers, servicemen, and women.
“I commend the Cabinet Secretary and the Ministry of Defence team for ensuring a seamless transition. This signals our maturity in governance and strong belief in civil transfer of power, as envisaged in our constitution,” the President said.
The Head of State called on other government institutions to emulate the standard as a best practice, saying the established military succession system underscores the value of rules and procedures.
General Kibochi, who was accompanied to State House by his wife Mrs Tabitha Kariuki, served as the Vice Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces before taking over as the new CDF.
As part of their contribution to the national fight against Coronavirus, KDF donated Shs 102 million to the Kenya COVID-19 Fund, money raised from voluntary salary cuts within the military.
