The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has responded to claims that its officers assaulted police officers and stormed the Lodwar police station after an altercation between the two security agencies.
Reports emerged that the KDF soldiers were arrested following an altercation with police in Lodwar in Turkana County. This is said to have led the soldiers led by Lieutenant Okello to raid the police station.
The friction is said to have happened between Constable Cleophas Makhapila, who had been deployed on day roadblock duties together with county enforcement officers and KDF soldiers.
However, a statement from the Department of Defence (DoD), has responded to those reports and attempted to set the record straight.
"Our attention has been drawn to videos, photos, and texts circulating on both mainstream and social media on the arrest of KDF soldiers at a Lodwar Police station yesterday, Wednesday 17 April 2024," KDF said in a statement published on Thursday, April 18, 2024.
"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."
Although KDF says the soldiers did not storm the station nor assault the police officer, it stated that investigations are ongoing to establish the deeper truth.
"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 the next course of action," the statement added.
"The exercise of professionalism, and restraint by KDF troops operating in Lodwar is recognized and commended."
The DoD statement further emphasised that they respect the constitution and will be as professional as they have been.
"The troops deployed in Lodwar and in other areas remain professional, subordinate to civilian authority, as stipulated in the Constitution of Kenya 2010, and a reliable partner in the Multi-Agency approaches towards enhancement on the delivery of security dividends.
"KDF is fully seized of the obligation to co-operate, and assist other authorities in Multi-Agency efforts to provide security, and defence for Kenya," it concluded.