UPDATE: The National Assembly has ratified the deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers to help police officers retain normalcy in the country.
Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo confirmed that the ratification was concluded in a record 30 minutes.
"And, without media, without most members, without proper debate, in a record 30mins, national assembly has just made kenya a military state; authorizing deployment of kdf without indicating where, why or for what period, & did so retrospectively contra a 241(3)(c). God bless us," he stated.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah has tabled a motion seeking to legally ratify the government's decision to deploy Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers to tackle protesters.
Ichung'wah tabled the motion on Wednesday during a special sitting organised to debate the protests among other things including a planned recess.
"THAT, pursuant to Article 241(3)(c) of the Constitution and sections 31(1)(b), 31(1)(c) and 32 of the Kenya Defence Forces Act, Cap. 199, this House accedes to the request of the Defence Council dated 26th June 2024 and, in the interest of national security, approves the deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in support of the National Police Service in various parts of the Republic of Kenya affected by ongoing violent protests that have caused destruction to critical infrastructure until normalcy is restored," read the motion in part.
Yesterday evening, Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale gazetted the deployment of the military to support the National Police Service (NPS) in restoring normalcy in the country.
In the notice, Duale explained that the deployment was necessary to curtail rogue demonstrators and the protests which he described as an affront against the state's critical infrastructure.
Shortly after the deployment, however, Kenyans accused the state of illegally deploying the military to handle unarmed protesters leading to the alleged Githurai 45 massacre.
Expressing their opinions, Kenyans claimed that KDF officers should only be deployed under two scenarios, when there is a situation of emergency or disaster, or to restore peace in any part of Kenya affected by unrest or instability.
In both instances, however, the National Assembly should be notified and give a stamp of approval.
"Kenya 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," Lawyer Donald Kipkorir stated.
Special Sitting
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula convened a special sitting to address the protests and the damage that left Parliament in ruins.
He noted that the sanctity of Parliament was violated.
"The sanctity of Parliament has been violated, lives have been needlessly lost and the foundation of our democracy has been tested in ways we never imagined. 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 in various hospitals quick recovery," he stated.
On the order paper for discussion is planned Parliamentary recess to kick off today until July 23.
