In April 2023, General ( Rtd ) Robert Kibochi finally hang his boots after 44 years in the Kenya Defence Forces that saw him rise to the heights of Chief of Defence Forces. He was succeeded by the late General Francis Ogolla.
The retired General served as the CDF for three years since his appointment by the then President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2023 to succeed General ( Rtd ) Samson Mwathethe.
General Kibochi made history as the first non- infantry Army officer to take over the reigns of KDF.
Prior to his appointment as the CDF, he served as the vice CDF for two years, having succeeded Lt Gen ( Rtd ) Joseph Kasaon in 2018.
He had previously served as the Kenya Army commander, taking over from Lt Gen ( Rtd ) Leonard Muriuki Ngondi.
General Kibochi had also served as the Assistant Chief of Defense Forces in-charge of plans, operations, training and doctrine.
After retiring from KDF, the former CDF kept a very low profile for almost two years until late 2024, when he was appointed by President William Ruto as the board chairperson of the Mwai Kibaki Othaya Level 5 Hospital in Nyeri.
From a military head, the career path of the former CDF took a new twist after being thrust into hospital management.
By Star