Moments after President William Ruto’s impassioned address to the nation, military officers have been deployed to all protected areas across Kenya.
This action follows a gazette notice issued by Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale the previous night.
Key locations now under the tight guard of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) include State Houses in Nairobi, Nakuru, and Mombasa, as well as various lodges across the country. In Nakuru, military personnel were seen lined up along the main road leading to the State House. Additionally, there is a noticeable military presence at the late Jomo Kenyatta’s mausoleum next to Parliament. During recent protests, anti-finance bill demonstrators breached Parliament’s barricades and caused damage to property at the mausoleum, including the perimeter wall.
Under the Protected Areas Act, unauthorized entry into these areas is prohibited. Anyone detained for the purpose of being searched in these zones is considered to be in lawful custody.
In his address, President Ruto stated that the demonstrations had been hijacked and warned those responsible for planning, financing, orchestrating, and abetting violence and anarchy. He assured Kenyans of their security, stating that all national security organs have been directed to deploy measures to thwart any attempts by dangerous criminals to undermine the country’s security and stability.
“I assure the nation, that the Government has mobilized all the resources at the nation’s disposal to ensure that a situation of this nature will not recur again, at whatever cost,” Ruto said. “As the people of Kenya go to bed tonight, I give you my assurance that your security, that of your families and property, remains my utmost priority.”
