Uhuru appoints Kibochi as lieutenant-general

Robert Kariuki Kibochi was on Thursday promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general and appointed the Kenya Army commander.

He replaces Lt-Gen Leonard Ngondi, who was posted to the National Defence College as commandant.

As Army commander, Lt-Gen Kibochi is only rivalled by Lt-Gen Joseph Kasaon, the vice Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), in rising to become a five-star general and Chief of Kenya Defence Forces.

This is because the next CDF will most likely come from the Army, since Gen Mwathethe is a Navy officer and before him, Gen Julius Karangi’s unit was the Air Force.

Furthermore, commandants of military colleges often end up retiring from the force in spite of holding high ranks.

The appointments were made by President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is also the commander-in-chief of the Kenya Defence Forces.

OTHER BENEFICIARIES

Until his appointment, Lt-Gen Kibochi was the assistant Chief of Defence Forces in charge of operations, doctrine and training at military headquarters.

His deputy will be Maj-Gen Walter Koipaton, who was promoted from the rank of brigadier.

Another beneficiary of the changes is Lt-Gen Johnson Ondieki, who was until Thursday a major-general and deputy Army commander.

He was posted to the United Nations mission in South Sudan.

Maj-Gen George Owino, who is the commandant of the Kenya Military Academy, was handed more responsibilities and named the officer in charge of the Western command.

In other changes, Maj-Gen Adan Mulata becomes the vice CDF in charge of operations, training and doctrine after he was promoted from the rank of brigadier.

Brigadier Thomas Chepkuto was promoted to major-general and placed in charge of special projects.

'TONJE RULES'

Two female officers, Yvonne Kerubo Kirui and Joyce Sitinei, were promoted from lieutenant-colonel to colonel.

Ms Kirui is a legal officer while Ms Sitinei will serve at the International Peace Support Training Centre.

In a statement, military spokesman Bogita Ongeri said the president made the changes “on the advice of the Defence council.”

The council sat Thursday and was chaired by Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo.

Other members of the council are Chief of Defence Forces Samson Mwathethe, Service commanders Lt-Gen Ngondi (Army), Maj-Gen Samuel Thuita (Air Force), Maj-Gen Levi Franklin Mghalu (Navy) and Defence Principal Secretary Kirimi Kaberia.

The so-called "Tonje Rules" in Kenya’s military stipulate that major-generals and lieutenant-generals must retire at age 56 and 58, respectively.

However, holders of those ranks can leave office at a younger age if they are appointed as Service commanders.

The rules say they must leave office either after serving four years or attaining the age limit, whichever comes first.