Kenya's High Court approved military deployment to quell violent anti-tax protests overwhelming police, citing loss of control and endangerment of life and property. This decision followed a petition by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK); a detailed ruling is expected within two days.
The ruling comes following a notice by Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Defense Aden Duale, who announced the military deployment on Tuesday. Duale justified the action as a response to the security emergency caused by violent protests.
The ruling comes following a notice by Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Defense Aden Duale, who announced the military deployment on Tuesday. Duale justified the action as a response to the security emergency caused by violent protests.
"We shall preserve peace and public safety and protect critical infrastructure of all three arms of Government," he said in the statement.
However, LSK lawyer Chrysostom Xavier Akhaabi criticized the rapid deployment, arguing that Duale had not provided a detailed justification for using military forces against unarmed civilians.
"The deployment of the KDF to manage unarmed civilians is a disproportionate response that violates both national and international legal standards,” Akhaabi said quoted by local media.
Protests have persisted in Kenya since last week, when authorities unveiled a measure that would impose a 16% VAT on bread, sugar transportation, mobile and financial services, and foreign currency transactions, as well as a 2.5% excise on vehicles and vegetable oil. The measure was returned to parliament for further consideration by President William Ruto, who declined to ratify it as protests intensified.