ADVOKS GLOBAL · KENYA
Kenya Defence Forces Act
253. Term of enlistment
Edition: 2022-12-31 · In force
253. Term of enlistment
(1)The term for which a person who has attained the age of eighteen years may enlist, shall be one of the prescribed periods of colour service (not exceeding twelve years) beginning on the date of attestation.(2)In computing the period of service of a service member, there shall be excluded therefrom—(a)all periods during which the member has been absent from duty by reason of—(iii)absence without leave exceeding seven days; and(b)any period ordered by a court-martial to be forfeited.(3)Within two years before completing the period of colour service of a service member who is of good character, the member, with the approval of the competent service authority, may re-engage for such further period of colour service as may be prescribed, subject to subsection (5).(4)Except as provided by subsection (6), the further period of colour service, together with the previous period of colour service, shall not exceed a total continuous period of twenty-one years colour service from the date, of the original attestation or the date upon which the person attained the age of eighteen years, whichever is the later.(5)A service member who has completed a period of twenty-one years colour service may—(a)with the approval of the Service Commander or an Officer authorised by the Service Commander in that behalf, continue to serve from year to year in all respects as if the period of colour service were still unexpired; and(b)at any time give to the member's commanding officer three months' notice to be discharged, and on the expiration of that notice the member may claim to be discharged.(6)A service member who completes a period of colour service (and any period by which that service is prolonged under subsection (6) of this section or under section 255, or is otherwise discharged (other than under section 254 or 256) shall thereupon be transferred to the reserve, and shall serve therein until attaining the age of fifty-five years.