Azimio leader Raila Odinga has criticized the court’s decision to keep the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) on the streets during protests. He argued that the ruling was misguided, stating that the Army’s primary role is to defend the country from foreign aggressions, not to manage internal strikes.
Speaking at the burial of Elder Owino Nyadi in Ugunja constituency, Siaya County, on Saturday, Raila emphasized that Kenya has a police force specifically designated to handle such domestic issues.
“We have reached a stage where the government has to take the military to the streets. This means the civilian authority has failed. The civilian forces have failed to deal with the people. The Army is not supposed to be in the streets, the army is supposed to defend the country from foreign aggressions not to deal with internal strikes,” he said.
He added: “That’s why it is wrong for our courts to rule that you can continue to maintain army on our streets because we have got Kenyan police to do this”.
The ODM Leader also critised the police for how handled the protesters saying the laws allow Kenyans to peacefully picket and demonstrate against what they don’t like.
“Peaceful demonstrators should be actually escorted by the police and not shot by the police. What we have seen is unacceptable and we condemn in the strongest terms possible the brutal force by police against innocent people in our country.”
Raila Odinga lamented the unnecessary loss of many young lives in the past week due to what he termed “trigger-happy policemen.” He stressed that globally, police are not supposed to shoot at protesters but to protect lives and property. Raila asserted that any police officer who shoots aimlessly is a criminal who should face legal consequences.
He described recent events as unprecedented and unimaginable in Kenya’s 61 years of independence. Raila also questioned the narrative of hired goons, demanding that relevant authorities explain who hired them.
Raila was accompanied by Siaya Governor James Orengo and National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi during his address.
