Dr Robert Kibochi: The General who highlighted Military's welfare

In 1979, he joined the Kenya Army and was sent to the Armed Forces Training College (AFTC) in Nakuru where he underwent Officer Cadets Training until March 30, 1980. After graduation, he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant and posted to Signals Battalion.

Since then, the general has held various command and staff appointments including Vice Chief of the Defence Forces, 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 include Chief of Staff at the Eastern Africa Standby Force, SO1 Records at Headquarter Kenya Army, SO1 Comms HQ KA, SO1 Mobilization DHQ, SO1 Comms CIS DHQ and SOII Operations and Training at the Headquarters of the Corps of Signals.

When former CDF Robert Kibochi graduated with a PhD.

The KDF Act says a CDF, his deputy and service commanders shall serve a single term of four years or retire upon attaining the mandatory retirement age.

The Act also says the President may, on the recommendation of the National Defence Council, extend the CDF's term for a period not exceeding one year in times of war or emergencies like political uncertainty.

The KDF ranks have adopted a distinct two-tier system of officers and service members. Officers are at the top of the hierarchy, referred to as commissioned officers.

The lowest rank is that of Second Lieutenant, while the highest is that of General, (four-star).

At any one time, KDF has only one four-star General, who is Chief of the Defence forces.

Dr Kibochi's legacy

Kibochi will be remembered for taking the front line in advocating for the welfare of military men and women.

When KDF joined the MUNUSCO peace mission, Kibochi is on record asking the government to critically look at the welfare of the soldiers and their families.

Upon his appointment as CDF, Kibochi took the welfare issue and ran with it. Multiple sources within the military ranks indicate that ten years after KDF had entered Somalia under the operation Linda Nchi, many families were suffering in silence but Kibochi did a 360 turnaround and ensured that both those deployed and their families were given priority in terms of welfare.

When former President Uhuru Kenyatta and the CDF Gen Dr Robert Kibochi made an extensive inspection tour of the refurbished Kenya Meat Commission factory and business complex in Athi River, Machakos County. [PCS]

"The facilities are not only welfare-centered but holistic centres that are critical in offering supportive health services," a senior officer at DoD said.

He further oversaw the implementation of a gender mainstreaming programme in KDF that has seen more women rise to top positions. In the promotions, a woman was made Major General, four promoted to the rank of Brigadier and 17 to that of Colonel.

This includes the likes of Maj-Gen Fatuma Ahmed, Brigadier Zipporah Kioko, Brigadier Alice Muringo Mate and Lt-Col Rodah Mwasigwa among others. The programme has also seen the current president William Ruto and his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta select women as their Aide-de-Camps.

"We are the only military in the continent with a written gender policy that focuses on mainstreaming gender into decision-making processes," Kibochi said.

With regards to service delivery by the military in conjunction with the National government, Kibochi allowed Uhuru to involved the KDF in the implementation of key projects such as the revival of the Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) which had been performing dismally.

In a past interview, the former CDF said KDF has had a reservoir of expertise that the nation needs to tap attributing it to the training military personnel acquire.

Gen (Dr) is married to Tabitha. They together have four children.