BIOGRAPHY
Lieutenant General Robert Kariuki Kibochi has been appointed the Chief of the Defence Forces of Kenya. Before taking the mantle, Robert was the Vice Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces following his elevation and appointment on 13 July 2018.
Lieutenant General Robert Kariuki Kibochi, MGH CBS ‘ndc’ (K) ‘psc’ (UK) was enlisted into the Kenya Defence Forces on 18 May 1979 and underwent Officer Cadets Training until 30 March 1980 and commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant and posted to Signals Battalion.
EDUCATION
Lt Gen Kibochi is thoroughly educated and has earned:
Masters Degree in Arts in International Studies,
Masters Degree in Computer-Based Information Systems,
Bachelors of Technology in Communication and Electronics Engineering
Ph.d degree in Peace and Conflict Management.
His other professional training includes:
National Security Studies at the National Defence College (Kenya).
Army Command and Staff Course (UK),
Overseas Telecoms Engineering Course (UK), Signal Officers Degree Telecommunications Engineering Course (India),
Sub Unit Commanders Course,
Platoon Commanders Course,
CAREER
He has held various command and staff appointments including his immediate former appointment as:
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 held include:
Chief of Staff at the Eastern Africa Standby Force,
SO1 Records at Headquarter Kenya Army (HQ KA),
SO1 Comms HQ KA, SO1 Mobilization DHQ,
SO1 Comms CIS DHQ, and,
SOII Operations and Training at the HQ of the Corps of Signals.
He served with the United Nations as Commander of Kenyan Contingent in the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) from 2000 – 2001; while his decorations include Moran of the Order of the Golden Heart (MGH) and Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS) among others.
AGE AND FAMILY
Lt Gen Kibochi was born in Nakuru on 15 August 1959. He is married to Tabitha and blessed with four daughters and a grandson.
