Former Chief of Defence Forces General Robert Kibochi on Friday bowed out of the military headquarters in Nairobi with his head held high after a stellar service spanning 44 years.
Kibochi said Kenya has achieved much under his leadership at KDF.
As he was being pulled out of Ulinzi House, the headquarters of the Department of Defence, Kibochi said Kenya remained a beacon of peace and stability in the region, which was clearly demonstrated during the recent peaceful elections and transfer of power.
“KDF's demonstration of enduring professionalism and mission readiness throughout all seasons signalled Kenya’s dependability to its international and regional partners,” he said.
Gen Kibochi handed over power to Gen Francis Ogolla in a smooth ceremony that has been ongoing in the past week since April 28, 2023, when Ogolla was named the new CDF.
Gen Kibochi said regionally and internationally KDF continues to remain a key player in contributing to global and regional peace and stability through various assignments with the United Nations, the African Union, and the East Africa Community.
He said gallant soldiers significantly continued to degrade the terrorist group al Shabaab and assisted in restoring peace and stability in Somalia under the umbrella of ATMIS.
“We also continue to train and mentor the Somalia Security Forces to enable them to take up the responsibility of ensuring the stability of their nation as ATMIS exits Somalia by December 2024.”
Additionally, following the invitation of EAC member states by the government of DR Congo to stabilise the eastern region, KDF contributed troops including the force commander under the East African Community Regional Force.
“Our brave soldiers are currently deployed and operating in eastern Congo. Moreover, in the international spectra, KDF continues to collaborate and engage with varied international partners, consolidating and strengthening relations in matters of training, exercises and operations in sharpening the arrowhead for mission readiness,” Kibochi said.
He added that Kenyan troops have been involved in various multi-agency operations and training exercises internally, which have enhanced and ensured a collective and synergised approach to handling national security issues.
Guided by the Constitution, the success of Operation Amani Boni in Lamu, Operation Rejesha Utulivu in Laikipia and Operation Maliza Uhalifu in North Rift, among others, are a clear demonstration of a collective positive effort on security matters, he said.
The Disaster Response Unit has also been at the forefront in supporting the civil authorities in situations of emergencies and disasters.
“Continuous quality training is designed to maintain the force at the highest levels of mission readiness,” the general said.
KDF has continued to invest in education and training institutions aimed at building tactical and technical capacity across all levels of leadership for itself and other security agencies.
Under Kibochi's leadership, the military witnessed the inauguration of the National Defence University-Kenya, Aviation Centre of Excellence and Communications Information Systems, Maintenance and Innovation Centre.
Additionally, the Counter-Insurgency, Terrorism and Stability Operations Training Centre, a premier training institution focused on combating all forms of irregular or hybrid threats, was operationalised.