LIEUTENANT GENERAL KIBOCHI, THE NEW MILITARY STRONGMAN.

He takes charge as the new Chief of Defence Forces in the midst of a pandemic. Replacing General Samson Mwathethe, Kenyans have high hopes in him as they await his input into the National Security Council in fighting COVID-19, Terrorism, Cyber threats among many others.

In this article, I have given a summary of who he is and what he has achieved so far.

ACADEMICS

Lt Gen Kibochi has earned a Masters Degree of Arts in International Studies and a Masters Degree in Computer Based Information Systems. He is a holder of Bachelor of Technology in Communication and Electronics Engineering, and is currently pursuing his Doctors of Philosophy (PhD) in Peace and Conflict Management.

LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

He has held various command and staff positions including his immediate former task 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.

PROFESSIONAL BUCKET

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.

EXPERIENCE

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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.

As head of the Army, he was key in punching the Al-Shabaab in Kismayu a military operation ordered by former President Emilio Mwai Kibaki. His academic mastery was key in plotting the final military invasion that saw the military capture the town of Kismayu, the financial hub of Somalia and a key revenue source to the Al-Shabaab.

As the assistant chief of the defence forces in-charge of operations, his task was to oversee military activities. Classified military operations as well as unclassified operations were all under his watch. He has managed to crush the rebellion in Boni Forest under unclassified operation, Operation Linda Boni.

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

A few months ago, Uhuru Kenyatta swapped his cabinet making former Interior PS Monica Juma in-charge of the defence docket. The long serving defence secretary Raychelle Omamo was given the foreign affairs ministry. It’s the most trusted security agency in the country, awing to it’s discipline that is instilled across the service.

The Commander-in-chief, has worked hard to strengthen and equip the military so as to meet the ever changing threat environment. Lt Gen Kibochi is the 3rd Chief of Staff to serve under President Kenyatta. The previous two being Gen Julius Karangi and outgoing Gen Samson Mwathethe. The new leader us set to take office on 11th of May and he has a challenge facing the nation, COVID-19. Being a member of the National Security Council, Kenyans count on him to deliver.