By Peter Ochieng
The government has resolved to deploy Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) across all the 47 Counties, in a bid to quell demonstrations occasioned by the anti-Finance Bill protests.
This week, the High Court upheld KDF deployment of 25 June 2024 pursuant to Article 241(3) (b) of the Constitution of Kenya and ordered to assist the National Police Service (NPS) in preventing destruction of property and loss of lives during protests.
“It is necessary that the terms of engagement, duration and areas of engagement be gazetted within the next two days to allay the apprehension of civilians that their fundamental rights will be curtailed by the KDF deployment,” ruled judge Lawrence Mugambi on Thursday.
Cabinet Secretary (CS) for defence Aden Duale, in a gazette notice dated June 28, said the military would be deployed to the rest of the country, to support NPS in securing key government infrastructures.
“Further to the orders of the Court in High Court Constitutional and Human Rights Petition Number 307 of 2024, it is notified for the general information of the public that based on the prevailing threats to national security planned and orchestrated through various platforms in the cyberspace, the deployment will cover the forty-seven counties within the Republic of Kenya where critical installations and infrastructure are located in order to assist the National Police Service preserve life, preserve the internal security of the State, protect property as well as maintain law and order.”
Key installations to be secured by the military include State House, Nairobi, State lodges across the country and Parliament.
Members of the National Assembly this week convened a special sitting to approve the request by the Defence Council to deploy KDF, amid the anti-Finance Bill protests across the country.
MPs acted after protesters overrun police officers on Tuesday and entered Parliament, causing a state of panic for legislatures.
The demonstrations were themed ‘Occupied Parliament.’ CS Duale’s move comes in the wake of more protests expected next week.
