Parliament moves to approve KDF deployment to manage Finance Bill protests
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National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah tables a motion in parliament to ratify the government's decision to deploy KDF to tackle protests
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah tables a motion in parliament to ratify the government’s decision to deploy KDF to tackle protests.
The National Assembly has convened a special sitting to approve the request by the Defence Council to deploy the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) amid the anti-Finance Bill protests across the country.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah tabled the motion on Wednesday during a special sitting organised to debate the protests among other things including a planned recess.
According to the Supplementary Order Paper slated for Wednesday, June 26, the action will be in line with Article 241 of the Constitution which requires approval from Parliament before deployment of KDF is enacted.
The motion was forwarded to Parliament after a request was issued by the Defence Council on Wednesday.
“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,” the notice reads in part.
Further, Parliament has resolved to break for recess on Wednesday and resume regular sittings on Tuesday, July 23 at 2:30 pm.
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This comes after 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.
This follows Tuesday’s #OccupyParliament protests that saw youth storm the House and wreak havoc during the demonstrations.
The ceremonial mace, which symbolizes the authority of the legislature, was stolen, some parts of the parliament building vandalized and a section of it set on fire.
The protestors have vowed to continue with the protests with a plan dubbed #OccuptyStateHouse set to be carried out on Thursday.
Speaker Moses Wetangula had initially approved the motion for the House to break for a two-week recess beginning Friday.
Also read,
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Ruto terms 25 June events on parliament as treason; promises to respond
Police shoot dead journalist and doctor during Finance Bill protests
Police officer breaks into tears after his brother gets shot during protests
Protesters vandalise and loot nightclub belonging to MP Oscar Sudi
Several people shot dead inside Parliament
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