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{
    "id": 1545327,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1545327/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 112,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Soipan Tuya",
    "speaker_title": "The Cabinet Secretary for Defence",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 926,
        "legal_name": "Roselinda Soipan Tuya",
        "slug": "roselinda-soipan-tuya"
    },
    "content": "issues which are very pertinent and of great public concern by Kenyans. In many instances, we have had Kenyans asking why or how the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) is deployed concerning matters of internal security. On the first question, on the need to clarify whether the KDF monitors the security situations within the country, and indicate the state of preparedness in the KDF to address potential instability or civil unrest; the KDF is one of the three national security organs established under the Constitution. This is in addition to the National Police Service (NPS) and the National Intelligence Service (NIS). Our Constitutio defines national security to include the protection against internal and external threats to Kenya's territorial integrity and sovereignty, its people, their rights, freedoms, property, peace, stability, and prosperity, as well as other national interests. Mr. Speaker, Sir, by dint of that constitutional definition of what national security is, and being that the KDF is part of the three national security organs, therein lies the role of KDF in matters of national security. Whereas the primary responsibility for internal security lies with other specialized agencies, and these are the NPS and the NIS, where internal threats to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Kenya arise, the Constitution then makes provision for instances when KDF may be deployed internally. It, therefore, follows that for KDF to effectively discharge this mandate of involvement in internal security matters, it must retain situational awareness of internal security issues at all times. Since the KDF will mainly work in support of other agencies concerning internal security matters, the force then has to closely collaborate and regularly exchange information with the relevant agencies. Again, in response to this question of whether the KDF monitors internal security matters; when you look at the design of the National Security Council (NSC) as established by the Constitution, the KDF is a member through me as the Cabinet Secretary for Defence and the Chief of the Defence Forces. The House does know that the NSC involves all the security agencies and organs of this country and that, therefore, mandates the KDF to work very closely in coordination and cooperation with other security agencies. We also have the National Security Council Committee, where we have the KDF represented. This security committee is the supportive arm of the NSC. Additionally, it follows that because of the involvement of KDF in these very crucial national security units, that indeed we have a pulse at each and every aspect of the internal security of the country. At this point, for clarity, I will move on to the question of the instances of the deployment of KDF. Article 241(3)(b) of the Constitution speaks to the collaboration between KDF and other security agencies. An example of this deployment is the Operation Maliza Uhalifu in the North Rift, as well as the Northern Eastern Region Operation. Of course, of keen interest is the deployment of June 25th, which again falls under Article 241(3)(b), where KDF was deployed to offer support to the NPS to deal with the unrest that the country went through at that point. An example of a deployment of KDF to respond to that is provided under Article 241 (3)(c), which is to restore peace in any part of Kenya. This is where the express authority of Parliament has to be sought. An example of that is the Operation Amani Boni, which is currently ongoing. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}