KDF can be deployed back to the streets, Defence CS tells Senate

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) is at liberty to get back to the streets and deal with protesters if need be.

Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya on Wednesday told the Senate that the gazette notice signed by her predecessor Aden Duale, deploying KDF to the streets on July 24, 2024, was still in force due to a pending court case.

This implies that President William Ruto, who is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, can deploy KDF officers on civilians in case of a situation similar to that of the Gen Z protests witnessed last year, paralysing business in major towns. "I would like to inform the Senate that the parameters for July 24, 2024 deployment of KDF officers are clear with two gazette notices issued by then Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale still in force stating how KDF was to carry out its mandate with a court case on the matter still pending," said Tuya.

Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua had asked Tuya to tell the House whether the gazette notice deploying KDF officers in the streets following the countrywide demonstrations opposing the enactment of the Finance Bill, 2024, was still in force or had been revoked.