MPs approve deployment of KDF to quell Finance Bill demos

The National Assembly has approved the deployment of Kenya Defense Forces to support the National Police Service in areas affected by the ongoing anti-tax protests.

MPs held a sitting Wednesday morning in camera and adopted the motion sponsored by the leader of Majority Kimani Ichungwa to deploy KDF until normalcy returns.

The move by parliament comes barely hours after Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the deployment of the military in the country following a day of protests against the controversial Finance Bill 2024.

In a gazette notice dated June 25, the Defence CS cited Article 241 (3) (b) of Kenya’s constitution to declare the deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces in support of the National Police Service.

President William Ruto has denounced the protests as treasonous, and he vowed to deal with the criminals involved.

In a state address from State House, the President described the day’s events as an “unprecedented attack on Kenya’s democracy, rule of law, and the integrity of its constitutional institutions.”

“Today’s attack on Kenya’s constitutional order has resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of property, and desecration of institutions and emblems of our sovereignty,” President Ruto stated.

At the same time, Parliament has altered its calendar and will proceed on a short recess beginning Thursday until July 23rd 2024.