MPs: Ruto does not need our approval for KDF deployment
The House Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee chair Nelson Koech says government military deployment in North Rift does not require parliamentary approval because as the security operation is classified as an emergency and the military will only play a supporting role.
The chairperson, National Assembly Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations said Article 241 (3) (b) of the Constitution, read together with section 31 (1) (a) and 33 (1)of the Kenya Defence Forces Act allows deployment of KDF in a joint operation with the National Police Service and other authorities
Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale gazetted the deployment of Kenya defence Forces (KDF) to North Rift to contain banditry after President Ruto ordered a joint operation with the National Police Service.
In the present case, the CS has informed Parliament that the Police under the overall command of the Inspector General will take lead of the operation. The KDF will only complement the police, in which case Article 241 (3)(b) of the Constitution requires the CS to only report to the National Assembly.
