Kenyatta appoints top military chiefs

30 Avril 2020

Nairobi, Keny, April 30  (Infosplusgabon) - Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta Thursday named Lieutenant-General Robert Kibochi as his new military chief of staff, official said.

Lt. Gen. Kibochi has also been promoted to the rank of general in changes to the top military command, the president's office said.

The new chief of staff, who was the vice-chief of staff, will replace General Samson Mwathethe, who is expected to retire with effect from 11 May, 2020, according to a dispatch from the Presidential Strategic Communications Unit (PSCU).

President Kenyatta also promoted Major-General Levi Mghalu to Lt. General, and Brigadier Jimson Mutai to major-general.

Gen. Kibochi will assume the pivotal post of the chief of defence forces, with Lt. Gen. Mghalu as the vice-chief of defence forces, while Major-General Mutai will become the commander of the Kenya navy.

President Kenyatta appreciated Gen. Mwathethe for the exemplary service he rendered to Kenya in the 42 years of military service, five of which were served in his capacity as the chief of staff.

"We have seen significant expansion in our military and enviable improvement in the defence capability of our forces; thus giving Kenyans confidence that their borders are well protected from any external aggression," President Kenyatta said.

During Gen. Mwathethe's tenure, Kenyatta said the military detected and neutralised a number of plans by the Al Shabaab in Somalia to attack Kenya.

"Let me also say that during your tenure, you proved that you are not just a military man, but a well-rounded person, with the capacity to provide quality leadership in other initiatives of national importance," President Kenyatta said in a tribute to the retiring military chief.

President Kenyatta said the out-going military chief steered the “Blue Economy Implementation Standing Committee” which was working on reviewing Kenya's dominance on the blue economy sector.

Kenyatta said the committee had made substantive progress in re-establishing the Kenya National Shipping Line as part of the Blue Economy Programme.

"Once fully completed and operational, this will, indeed, enable us, as a country, exploit the potential we have in the blue economy and consequently create thousands of jobs for our young men and women," Kenyatta said. Kenyatta said he “looked forward to working with the new officers closely in service to our motherland”.

FIN/ INFOSPLUSGABON/RTF/GABON2020

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