By THEDISPATCH.DIGITAL CORRESPONDENT
After realizing that the KDF cannot be deployed without Parliamentary approval, the government has drafted a motion seeking the approval of Parliament to deploy the KDF within the country. Sources this morning old THEDISPATCH.DIGITAL this morning that Majority Leader in the National Assembly, Kimani Ichung’wah, was last night ordered to quickly draft a motion to ge Parliament to sanction the deployment of military personnel in the major cities and towns in the country.
The move is to ensure compliance with he Constitution, which states in Article 241 (3) The Defence Forces –
…. (c) may nay be deployed to restore peace in any part of Kenya affected by unrest or instability only with the approval of the National Assembly.
According to an insider, the government ants the motion prioritised to enable it to deal with the “criminals” that Ruto referred to in his speech last night.
As the news filtered out, the Media and non-parliamentary staff were this morning barred from accessing Parliament Buildings, where activities were going on in a hushed sombre manner following yesterday’s breach by anti-Finance Bill demonstrators.
This comes in the wake of the wave of spontaneous protests across the country that culminated into the invasion of parliament buildings yesterday evening. The move to bring in the military is an attempt to pre-empt demonstrations and scare away youth that have so far been daring in an unprecedented manner.
The Kenya Kwanza Members of National Assembly had early this morning been ordered to be in the House to pass the motion urgently. With KK’s majority, it is expected that MPS will rubberstamp Ruto’s will, and troop o his office for political favours.
After the deployment is approved, Ruto is expected to go ahead and sign into law the contentious Finance Bill 2024 tomorrow morning. Observers believe the deployment of KDF personnel means Ruto could declare State of Emergency, which will also require Parliamentary approval, hence curtailing movement of Kenyans and stop further demonstrations.
But observers were divided on whether the move by Ruto to draw the military into what is essentially a political conflict had been well thought out and the possible consequences considered. Some were of the view that while the military could help put down the demonstrations, there was also the possibility they could be reluctant to return to their barracks. and demand more say in politics, like getting seats in Parliament. There were also fears that it could amplify the hostility the regime is facing from the young population.