Opposition leaders Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetangula. facebook.com/Raila OdingaOpposition leader Raila Odinga has consistently criticised the Jubilee administration’s alleged plan to deploy the military in prospective violence hotspots in the country when Kenyans go to polls on August 8.
His last statement in which he rebuked President Uhuru Kenyatta over what he terms ‘misuse’ of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) was relayed live on television on Friday when he alleged senior KDF officers are undergoing induction awaiting “deployment for special assignment on election day”.
According to the 2010 Constitution there are three organs of the national security; the National Police, the National Intelligence Service and the KDF.
KDF comprises of three services; the Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force and Kenya Navy. Membership to these three is voluntary and requires high levels of integrity and self discipline.
Article 241 of the 2010 Constitution is categorical that KDF is responsible for defending and protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation.
Besides, it shall assist and cooperate with other authorities in circumstances of emergency or disaster and report to Parliament whenever deployed in such situations.
It may also be deployed to restore peace is areas of the country affected by unrest but only with approval of Parliament.
Raila argues that although the Constitution allows for KDF’s deployment in some parts of the country, like in Boni Forest where government is fighting al Shabaab militants and in Baringo to curb cattle banditry, he says the deployment did not follow due process because it was done without Parliamentary endorsement.
“The president cannot deploy the military without express approval of Parliament,” the former premier said at a press conference in Nairobi before he flew to campaign in Kajiado County.
He said during the grand coalition government, the executive closely worked with Parliament and before the military was deployed in Somalia, the executive had to seek for Parliamentary consent.
The former Kibera MP says Kenya is under no crisis to warrant the deployment of KDF on August 8.
The police can be deployed in troubled Lamu, Tana River, Garissa, Wajir and Mandera to maintain peace.