Interior Cabinet Secretary has clarified widespread reports about a move by the government to deploy Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to help in restoring order in banditry-affected areas.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Kindiki underscored that KDF officers will only complement the efforts of police officers who have the leading role in the operation.
Further, the CS noted that the areas earmarked for KDF deployment had been gazetted as disturbed and dangerous areas hence necessitating the deployment without parliament's approval as stipulated in the law.
"Further, it is clarified that the operation in the areas specified in the aforesaid Kenya Gazette Notices as amended is police-led with assistance from the Military within the remit of Article 241 (3) (b) of the Constitution of Kenya."
"As such, no prior approval of the National Assembly is required as would be the case for a military-led operation under Article 241 (3) (c) of the Constitution," the statement read in part.
In the statement, Kindiki noted that more parts of Samburu County and Laikipia County had been included in the list of areas classified as disturbed and dangerous.
The additional areas, according to the statement, will include Malaso, Baragoi and Wamba Divisions in Samburu as well as Sipiri Division in Laikipia County.
Kindiki's statement came a day after Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale issued a Gazette Notice notifying the public of the deployment of KDF in Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Laikipia and Samburu Counties in response to emergency concerns.
In a gazette notice released concurrent to the aforementioned, Interior CS shared an update of the list of areas categorized as disturbed and dangerous. The aforementioned areas were placed under a dusk-to-dawn curfew as part of the interventions to curtail the wanton bandit activities.
According to article 241 of the Constitution, KDF officers can be deployed to assist and cooperate with other authorities in situations of emergency or disaster, without necessarily getting green light from the National Assembly.
However, the KDF must report back to the National Assembly for a debrief about the operation for accountability.
The developments were occasioned after over 300 bandits attacked police officers on Friday, February 10 in Turkana County where scores of police officers were reported to be dead.
Subsequently, President William Ruto ordered a joint operation spearheaded by KDF and the Kenya Police, vowing to bring the banditry headache to an end for once.
