Kenya Authorizes Nationwide Military Deployment Amid Protests and Parliamentary Turmoil.

The government has given permission for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to be stationed in all 47 counties to enhance security after the protests against the Finance Bill. Aden Duale, the Defence Cabinet Secretary, stated in an official notice on June 28 that the military will be dispatched nationwide to assist the National Police Service in protecting important government installations in accordance with the law.

The CS referred to the Constitution and a recent High Court decision that authorized the use of the military, stating that the operation will persist until calm is restored.

“According to Article 241 (3) (b) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, along with sections 31 (1) (a), 31 (1) (c), 33 (1), 34 (1), and 34 (2) of the Kenya Defence Forces Act, the KDF was deployed on June 25, 2024, to aid the National Police Service in responding to the security emergency caused by violent protests in various parts of the Republic of Kenya, resulting in destruction and breaches of critical infrastructure,” Duale stated.

“Further to the Court’s orders 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 cyberspace, the deployment will cover the forty-seven counties within the Republic of Kenya where critical installations and infrastructure are located, to assist the National Police Service in preserving life, maintaining the internal security of the State, protecting property, and maintaining law and order,” He added.

This situation occurred after High Court Judge Lawrence Mugambi made a decision in response to a petition from the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) regarding the deployment of the KDF to address the unrest following the June 25 anti-Finance Bill demonstrations.The judge sanctioned the deployment and mandated that the terms be officially published in the gazette within 48 hours.

“The continuation of military assistance is necessary in view of the need to preserve order and protect military infrastructure,” the judge stated.

Parliament met in a special session on Tuesday amid nationwide protests against the Finance Bill to approve the Defence Committee’s request to deploy the KDF. According to further orders expected onn Wednesday, 26 June, the action was in accordance with Article 241 of the Constitution, which requires parliamentary consent before the KDF can be deployed.

During Tuesday’s #OccupyParliament protests, youths broke into houses and caused chaos during demonstrations. The ceremonial mace, a symbol of parliamentary authority, was stolen and parts of the Parliament building were vandalised and and set fire to parts of the parliament building.

This escalation of violence led to the decision to deploy the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to assist the national police.