KDF officers on standby at Nyayo Stadium ahead of expected demos

Military officers have been placed on standby at the Nyayo stadium in Nairobi ahead of the expected protests.

The officers arrived in the wee hours of the morning in their military trucks and converged in various groups for briefings outside the facility as they awaited potential deployment.

It was not immediately clear if they would conduct patrols across the city as was witnessed last week.

President William Ruto said Sunday during a media round table that the officers will not deployed to the streets if the demonstrations remain peaceful.

“Kenya Defence Forces will not be on the street. They only come as a last result. If the demonstrations will be peaceful, I promise you, the police will be there to protect the demonstrators,” he said.

He said police will also be there to maintain order and deal with those who come to engage in criminal activities of destroying and looting property.

He also emphasised that the presence of the military is only to ensure public safety and protect critical infrastructure.

The situation remains fluid in Nairobi’s central business district (CBD) with security officers closely monitoring the developments.

As has been the case, there was heavy presence of anti-riot security officers including those in civilian at strategic areas in the city.