President William Ruto violated the Constitution by ordering the deployment of the military to bandit-prone areas, Azimio leader Raila Odinga has said.
Raila said the law demands that any such deployment of the military whether internally or to foreign countries must be sanctioned by Parliament.
"Under very special circumstances is the military deployed. President has no powers, this is a gross violation of the Constitution," he said.
Raila made the remarks on Wednesday evening after visiting the residence of former Interior cabinet secretary Fred Matiang'i.
His visit came after a police raid at the former CS's Karen home.
On February 13, the government through a gazette notice by Defence CS Aden Duale said the military would be deployed to six bandit-prone counties from Wednesday to avert further loss of lives.
It followed a directive by President Ruto for a joint security operation in the restive parts of the North Rift that have come under heavy attacks by armed bandits in recent days.
The counties affected are Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Laikipia and Samburu.
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki declared the counties as disturbed and dangerous.
Kindiki clarified that the deployment of the military would not need Parliamentary approval since the soldiers would be there to assist a police-led operation.
He said the military will operate under the National Police Service, the lead team in the operation.
“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 said on Tuesday.
Raila, however, said this is an illegal operation under the tenets of the Constitution.
