Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki Tuesday said there is no need to have prior approval of parliament before deploying the military to various counties affected by banditry.
He said the military will operate under the National police service which will be the lead team in a the operation.
Kindiki said the operation in the banditry-prone areas was not approved by the parliament because it is police-led with assistance from the military.
“Further, it is clarified that the operation in the areas specified in the aforesaid Kenya Gazette Notices as amended is police-led with assistance from the military within the remit of Article 241 (3) (b) of the Constitution of Kenya.”
“As such, no prior approval of the National Assembly is required as would be the case for a military-led operation under Article 241 (3) (c) of the constitution,” Kindiki clarified.
On Monday the CS gazetted areas in six counties including Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Laikipia, and Samburu that would observe the curfew,” he said.
Under the order, there shall be no public gatherings, processions, or movement, either alone or as a group during the period of the curfew except as has been permitted in writing by the Inspector-General of the National Police Service.
Kindiki extended areas that will be affected with a 30-day dusk-to-dawn curfew starting Tuesday evening.
Additional zones are also listed among the dangerous and disturbed areas.
The extension was made in Samburu and Laikipia Counties.
Sipili Division in Laikipia County and Malaso, Baragoi, and Wamba Divisions in Samburu County are now listed among disturbed and dangerous areas and they will be affected by the curfew.
However, the ministry of interior excluded Kirisia Division in Samburu County.
Inspector General Japhet Koome called upon people owning firearms illegally in the areas to surrender.
An operation is planned in the area after the gunmen there killed more than 100 people and 16 police officers in six months.
