Following chaotic scenes at State House Nakuru, where protestors breached security, Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has taken decisive action by deploying Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to safeguard State Houses nationwide.
This move comes in the wake of escalating protests against the Finance Bill, 2024, with demonstrators venting their frustration over economic policies.
Video footage circulated online depicted a tense standoff as protestors overwhelmed police at State House Nakuru, resulting in fatalities among both protestors and security forces.
The breach prompted immediate deployment of KDF personnel to strategic locations including Nairobi, Eldoret, Trans Mara, and Mombasa, where the State facilities are situated.
In an unprecedented move, Members of Parliament sought refuge at Weston Hotel on Langata Road, fearing reprisal from the enraged protestors. The presence of a heavy police contingent at the hotel sparked speculation that the MPs were under protective custody due to threats on their safety.
Defence Secretary Duale declared a national security emergency via gazette notice late Tuesday, justifying the deployment of military forces amidst escalating violence and infrastructure damage caused by protestors.
The move marks a significant escalation in government response to the unrest, which saw protestors breach the National Assembly and set fire to City Hall in Nairobi.
Eyewitnesses reported military trucks and ambulances converging on Nairobi's CBD and Parliament buildings shortly after protestors stormed the National Assembly.
The military presence underscored the government's determination to restore order without resorting to lethal force against civilians, a concern voiced by MP Caleb Amisi.
"It is a democracy, not a military rule," Amisi emphasised, urging restraint from the deployed military personnel. The situation remains tense as KDF units stand by, tasked with protecting critical government installations and quelling further unrest.
We have learned that currently, the military has been instructed to remain on standby and has not been authorised to engage with civilians. However, there is dissent among army chiefs regarding the lack of parliamentary approval for the deployment, raising legal concerns.
As a precautionary measure, the military is actively safeguarding all its infrastructure against potential civilian interference.
