Politicians, human rights activists and a section of Kenyans have criticised President Uhuru Kenyatta for transferring the Kenya Meat Commission from the Agricultural docket to the Ministry of Defence.
Kenyatta directed Agriculture CS Peter Munya to oversee the changes in a process intended to save the commission from collapse.
However, former Presidential aspirant and lawyer Martha Karua, condemned the move arguing that it may be a signal of change in governance and administration in Kenya.
"Slowly, the military will run the government," Karua, a fierce Kenyatta critic poked holes.
Lawyer Ahmednassir Abdullahi weighed in on the matter arguing that the commission will be shielded by various Acts of Parliament from scrutiny, civilian audit and accountability.
Among the Acts he mentioned were the Official Secrets Act and The Protected Areas Act.
The Official Secrets Act safeguards any place that is for the time being declared by order, to be a prohibited place on the ground that information with respect thereto or damage thereto would be prejudicial to the safety and interests of the Republic.
According to the Protected Areas Act, if any person is in a protected area in contravention of this Act, or, being lawfully in a protected area, fails to comply with any direction given under this Act, then, without prejudice to any proceedings which may be taken against him, he may be removed from the area by any police officer or any person authorized in that behalf by the prescribed authority. The individual may also face arrest and jail term.
"It is deeply alarming how increasing military is getting indebted to Uhuru regime. The country is heading towards a very dangerous situation," human rights activist Ndung'u Wainanina lamented.
In February 2020, Kenyatta was also condemned for the militarization of Nairobi County, with critics arguing that he was allegedly going to place Kenya under military order. A military order is an association of military persons under certain rules, membership. With Kenyatta as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, the military responds to him alone.
The Head of State placed Nairobi County under the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) led by Major General Mohamed Badi. Seven more senior military officers were added to the leadership ranks of the NMS in months later.
"As we speak, we know that Nairobi has been militarized, it is no longer a civilian government, something that I would never have imagined under the new constitution. The militarization of the civilian or county government is the worst form of violation and overturn of the constitution. This house (Senate) must call this government to order," Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen led the onslaught against Kenyatta.
