The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has refuted claims that its officers assaulted police officers in Lodwar or stormed the police station to rescue arrested officers.
In a statement on Thursday, April 18, KDF indicated that joint investigations by the relevant competent authorities to further establish facts on this incident were ongoing to determine the next course of action.
The statement followed reports and videos circulated online of four KDF officers who were arrested on Wednesday 17 April 2024.
“Notably, it has so far been established that; KDF soldiers NEITHER, “assaulted” police officers NOR, “stormed” the station as alleged.
“Joint investigations by the relevant competent authorities to further establish facts on this unfortunate incident are ongoing and the outcome will inform next course of action,” the statement read in part.
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KDF Message to Arrested Soldiers
At the same time, the defence forces lauded the officers who were arrested for exercising professionalism during the ordeal.
“The exercise of professionalism, and restraint by KDF troops operating in Lodwar is recognized and commended.
“The troops deployed in Lodwar and in other areas remain professional, subordinate to civilian authority, as stipulated in the Constitution of Kenya 2010,” added the statement.
At the same time, the statement noted that the arrest was demeaning and was done to humiliate the officers adding that it was of great concern to the defence ministry.
“The orchestration of the detainment is demeaning in context, intended to embarrass, humiliate, and to create alarm.
“The incident, though localized and occurring at a tactical level, is of great concern to the entire KDF fraternity. It also degrades the complementary spirit in Multi- Agency environments, and operations,” explained KDF.
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Reports of Arrest of the Officers
Reports of the events which attracted national attention showed officers ordering four KDF officers to sit outside a police station. The KDF officers had allegedly disarmed and assaulted a police officer manning a roadblock.
In addition, the officers were said to have found the KDF soldiers at Moi Garden in Lodwar seated under a tree and a driver behind the wheel of a water bowser truck.
The driver cocked his AK47 rifle, prompting the police officers to shoot in the air. They were then escorted to the police station to clarify the claims.
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