Defence CS Aden Duale has explained the government’s decision to deploy Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers during the anti-Finance Bill protests. Duale acknowledged that while the Gen Zs were protesting to voice valid concerns about the country’s situation, their ranks were infiltrated by hired goons intent on causing chaos.
He stated that these goons had detailed plans to burn down Parliament and the Supreme Court before proceeding to State House. However, these plans were foiled by the KDF and other security agencies.
“The Gen Zs wanted maybe to occupy the open space between the mausoleum and Parliament but the hired gangs on that Tuesday had a systematic plan to burn Parliament, the Supreme Court and maybe the whole of the government square and then go to State House,” Duale said.
“Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), our security agents did good work to make sure they save those institutions.”
The Defence CS noted that as chairman of the Defence Council, he made the call to deploy the KDF in consultation with the Chief of Defence Forces and President William Ruto.
He said this was to protect the country from sliding into chaos because of a few greedy politicians from current and previous regimes.
“The Constitution made the right call. I think the framers of our Constitution created checks and balances.
“As the chairman of the Defence Council, in consultation with the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Commander-in-Chief we invoked the Articles in the Constitution and the section in the KDF Act to make sure our country does not slide into chaos because of greedy, wicked politicians and their agents and financiers,” Duale said.
On Tuesday, last week, the state deployed KDF officers to support the police in maintaining peace and security amid the anti-Finance Bill protests.
Their deployment came after it was approved by the National Assembly.
Duale, following a court directive, gazetted areas where the KDF would operate.
He said they would protect critical infrastructure of the three arms of government and those of citizens until normalcy resumes.
