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 Defence 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 the three arms of Government,” he said.
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.
