The Kenya Gazette, the official government publication, has announced the deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces in support of the National Police Service amidst ongoing violent protests.
According to Gazette Notice No. 7861, the deployment is in response to a security emergency caused by the protests, which have resulted in destruction and breaching of critical infrastructure.
“PURSUANT to Article 241 (3) (5) of the Constitution of Kenya as read with sections 31 (1) (a), 31 (1) (c), 33 (1), 34 (1) and 34 (2) of the Kenya Defence Forces Act, (Cap. 199), the Kenya Defence Forces is deployed on the 25th June, 2024 in support of the National Police Service in response to the security emergency caused by the ongoing violent protests in various parts of the Republic of Kenya resulting in destruction and breaching of critical infrastructure,” the publication read.
The deployment was announced by Aden Bare Duale, Cabinet Secretary for Defence and Chairperson of the Defence Council, Tuesday evening.
The move comes after at least five people were killed and dozens injured in the protests against the Finance Bill 2024, which have been marked by fatal shootings, injuries from live bullets, rubber bullets, and tear gas canisters.
Kenya Government Deploys Military Amidst Ongoing Protests is first published on The Whistler Newspaper