Questions as MPs speedily approve deployment of KDF

Azimio MPs led by Otiende Amolo (2nd left), James Nyikal (left), John Mbadi and Joshua Oron address the media where they condemned the manner in which the National Assembly passed the motion to deploy the Kenya Defence Forces to internal security affairs in record 30 minutes at Parliament, Nairobi. June 26th,2024 [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The National Assembly on Wednesday approved the deployment of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to different parts of the country following the countrywide anti-tax protests held on Tuesday.

Coming on a day that the opposition termed the deployment as unconstitutional, the House approved a motion by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah for the deployment of the forces on a need basis.

The sitting during which the House approved the motion, however, went down in history as the first when such a decision was made in the closet of secrecy as the public and even the media were barred from accessing Parliament.

Article 241 (3C) of the Constitution states that the defence forces may be deployed to restore peace in any part of Kenya affected by unrest or instability only with the approval of the National Assembly.

Questions had, however, abounded after the President on Tuesday directed the deployment of the forces prior to seeking Parliamentary approval.

But Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, during the session that interestingly lasted only lasted 30 minutes, noted that the National Assembly had earlier received the request for deployment from the Defence Council through the Cabinet Secretary for Defence, adding that the Leader of the Majority Party would be seeking the approval of the request by the House.

He proceeded to urge MPs to embrace sobriety when addressing matters under consideration by the House going forward.

And while moving the motion, Ichung’wah tried to justify the need for the House to approve the request of the Defence Council by highlighting the “exceptional” circumstances the country had found itself in.

According to a statement released by Parliament, the consideration of the request was informed by the fact that the National Assembly is set to proceed on short recess until July 23, 2024.

“… should there be need for the KDF to be deployed to quell ongoing protests that has left in their wake wanton destruction, the House would not need to be recalled to consider the request,” read the statement in part.

Rarieda MP was, however, indifferent about the development and took to social media to express this.  

“Without media, without most members, without proper debate, in a record 30 minutes, the National Assembly has just made Kenya a military state; authorising deployment of KDF without indicating where, why, or for what period,” he posted on X.

Earlier, the opposition had criticised the deployment of KDF and called for their immediate recall.

“The deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces is totally unjustified and unconstitutional for not having been sanctioned by Parliament. The KDF ought to immediately return to the barracks. Our police service should strictly adhere to their constitutional mandate to safeguard the lives and property of Kenyans without being partisan,” said Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua.

Meanwhile, Wetang’ula yesterday termed Tuesday’s breach of security in Parliament as highly regrettable. He noted that the unprecedented and disheartening actions had violated the sanctity of Parliament, leading to needless loss of lives.

“Yesterday, 25th June 2024, will go down as a sad and tragic day in the history of our nation and that of the Parliament of Kenya. We were all treated to some unprecedented disheartening and unfortunate events and occurrences, following the passage of the Finance Bill, 2024, by this honourable House”, he said.

Adding, “On behalf of the Parliamentary Service Commission and on my own behalf, I send my condolences to the families and friends of the departed souls and wish those who are nursing injuries in various hospitals quick recovery.”