- 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.
- Gen Kibochi says regionally and internationally, KDF continues to remain a key player in contributing to global and regional peace and stability
Image: HANDOUT
Outgoing Chief of Defence Forces Gen Robert Kibochi says Kenya achieved much under his leadership at the Kenya Defence Forces.
As he was being pulled out of Ulinzi House, the headquarters of Department of Defence, Gen Kibochi feels 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 signaled 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 Gen Ogolla was named the new CDF.
Gen Kibochi says 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 (UN), the African Union (AU), and the East Africa Community (EAC).
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 (SSF) to enable them to take up 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 stabilize Eastern DR Congo, KDF contributed troops including the Force Commander under the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) to assist in stabilizing the region, he added.
“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.”
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 synergized 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 is a clear demonstration of a collective positive effort on security matters, he argued.
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.”
In addressing identified capability gaps through education and training of personnel, 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,” he said.
Under his leadership, the military witnessed inauguration of National Defence University-Kenya (NDU-K), Aviation Centre of Excellence (ACE) and Communications Information Systems, Maintenance and Innovation Centre (CISMIC).
Additionally, Counter-Insurgency, Terrorism and Stability Operations Training Centre (CITSO), a premier training institution that is focused on combating all forms of irregular or hybrid threats, which include counter insurgencies and counter terrorism efforts and subsequent stabilization operations was operationalised.