- Even with all these regulations, some of the KDF officers are so grossly undisciplined that they disrespect the rule of law.
- KDF officers view the the Kenya Police as inferior to them and therefore should be keeping to their lanes.
Image: CHARLES MGHENYI
The Kenya Defence Forces’ motto is “Ngao Ya Taifa” (Shield of the Nation) This motto boldly underlines the responsibilities of the KDF as first and last point the country relies upon for protection under all circumstances. KDF has never let us down and it never will.
According to Article 241 (1) of the Constitution, the KDF comprises the Defence Forces: (a), the Kenya Army; (b) the Kenya Air Force; and (c) the Kenya Navy. Within the KDF are the regular force consisting of officers and service members; (b) the reserve force, consisting of the regular and volunteer reserve, as determined by the Defence Council or national legislation; and (c) the cadet forces, as may be determined, from time to time, by the Defence Council.
During the Colonial Administration, KDF was known as the King’s African or the Kenya Rifles. It early combats are engrained in the annals of history and they include the World War II and the five-year Shifta War form 1963 to 1967.
KDF milestones in recent times, include the swift pulverisation of the Mt Elgon Insurgency from 2005 to 2008 under in Operation Linda Nchi. From 2012, our gallant soldiers are still standing strong in Somalia assailing al Shabaab under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). KDF has also participated in the restoration of peace in DR Congo in what is popularly known as the Kivu Conflict.
In all these engagements, KDF fought proudly, reflecting on their values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honour, integrity and personal courage.
While I strongly commend our soldiers for their bravery and service, it is disheartening that a few bad apples among them have put a blotted the noble image of KDF through acts of omission and commission. All this is because of the unfortunate events of the past couple of weeks that displayed the flip side of some soldiers bereft of any of the values mentioned above. We don’t quibble or mollify anyone.
The KDF Act of 2012 spells out the conduct of all KDF officers and the manner in which they should behave under all circumstances.
Even with all these regulations, some of the KDF officers are so grossly undisciplined that they display superiority complexes and disrespect the rule of law. KDF officers view the the Kenya Police as inferior to them and therefore should be keeping to their lanes, irrespective of the prevailing situations, yet, the NP is tasked with enforcing the law without fear or favour.
Last week, Musoli Police Station in Kakamega South subcounty in Kakamega released a brief about a fracas in a local joint known as West Joe Bar and Restaurant involving KDF and National Police Service officers. According to the report, the officers had refused to pay for their drinks worth Sh4,250 and when they were asked to clear the bill, they became violent and later took a mobile phone belonging to one of the waiters who had served them the drinks. They then kicked and punched the waiter. The three also attacked police officers, namely, Sergeant Evans Etyang, Gladys Onsongo and Fred Mochache who had responded to the chaos at the joint. The annoying officers were arrested and remanded.
This is not an isolated case involving KDF and police officers in so many days.
A few weeks prior to this incident, an altercation was captured at the Coast as two KDF officers stormed a police station at the Coast and roughed up police officers who had arrested their relatives. The KDF officers caused the release the relative in police custody. Another clip showed an animated argument between KDF officers and the National Police Officers in Turkana. I thank citizen journalism for bringing out these issues of national importance. Without these clips, no one would ever know about these unfortunate vices.
And who are these people out to tarnish the name of the KDF? Are they he “officers of the patrol” as spelled out in the Act? Are they KDF officers on guard duty and posted or ordered to patrol? Who are these people who seem to operate above the Constitution of Kenya and the KDF Act of 2012?
Something must be done immediately to prevent worst situations from happening. These events have tainted the image of the KDF and the National Police. If possible, the wayward officers should be taken back to training academy to re-learn and retool them on the pillars of training of the KDF firmly built on leadership, character development, professional military training, character development and formal academic training.
If nothing is done as soon as possible, I fear something untoward would happen.
Political commentator