MPS APPROVE THE DEPLOYMENT OF KDF

The National Assembly has sanctioned the deployment of Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) to support the police a midst the ongoing nationwide protests against the Finance Bill, 2024. This approval, granted during a special session on Wednesday, has sparked controversy regarding its legal validity and how it was conducted.

Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo expressed concerns on social media, noting that the session lacked media coverage, which is customary for such proceedings. There is also uncertainty about whether the required quorum of 50 members was met, as mandated by the Constitution. Amollo claimed that within 30 minutes, Parliament had unanimously approved the military deployment before adjourning for recess.

The Constitution requires government approval from the National Assembly before any military deployment.

"Without media, without most members, without proper debate, in a record 30 minutes, the National Assembly has just made Kenya a military state; authorizing deployment of KDF without specifying where, why, or for what duration, and did so retroactively in violation of Article 241(3)(c). God bless us," Amollo stated on his X platform.

Critics have also questioned how MPs could convene without the mace, which symbolizes the authority and dignity of the House. The mace was seized during protests at Parliament precincts on Tuesday, and no formal business can be conducted without it.

On Tuesday, legislators adopted the Finance Bill 2024 with amendments and passed the Appropriations Bill 2024, which cleared the Committee of the Whole House stage. MPs are now scheduled to break for recess on Wednesday and resume regular sittings on Tuesday, July 23.