President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday extended the term of Chief of Defense Forces General Samson Mwathethe's term by one more year following recommendations by National Defense Council.

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In a memo by the Ministry of Defense on Monday, General Mwathethe, a Navy man, will serve until next year May when his successor would be ready to take charge of KDF.

"H. E Uhuru Kenyatta, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of armed forces and the president of the Republic of Kenya, upon consultations with National Defense Council, extends General Samson Mwathethe's term for one year, effective May 6th," read the memo.

General Mwathethe's term expired a fortnight ago, having served for four years in compliance with Tonje Rules and KDF Act of 2012. He took over from Air Force man General Julius Karangi in April 2015.

According to Tonje Rules, Chief of Defense Forces retires upon attaining the age of 64 or after serving a four-year term. The same rule applies to Service commanders. 

But in extreme cases, the president has powers to extend the term for one year if the country is at war or in the case of political uncertainties in the country. But it's not clear why Uhuru opted to extend the term since none of the two situations is applicable.

Had Mwathethe's exited, then the senior most Kenya Army officer would have taken over. Among those who were tipped to take over from him include Vice Chief of Defense Forces Lt General Robert Kibochi, AU-UN Humid Commander Lt General Leonard Ngondi and Kenya Army Commander Lt General Walter Raria.

But despite the extension, the three men will be at pole position to succeed General Mwathethe next year in May when he formally leaves. The next CDF will oversee transition in 2022 since he or she will take charge for four years.

Throughout his term, General Samson Mwathethe's grip has been questioned given the fatalities suffered by the KDF in Somalia. In 2016, at least 200 soldiers died in El-Adde but Mwathethe is yet to issue an official report.

Also, the country has seen a series of attacks in the country with the latest coming in January 2019. At least 21 people died at DusitD2 Hotel attack. Last month, suspected Al-Shabaab militants abducted two Cuban doctors in Mandera but until now, no rescue has been made.

“It will be difficult to pin-point outstanding achievements which can be associated with him,” Mr Edward Wanyonyi, a graduate of war studies from King’s College, London, says about the General.