Governor Calls For Deployment Of KDF After Bandit Attack Kills Four Officers
Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma asked President William Ruto on Thursday to deploy the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to help handle the hazardous security situation in the county’s northern grazelands.
Mutuma’s remarks at the A.I.P.C.A. Holy Oil Celebration in Meru County are expected to generate controversy about the scope and depth of KDF deployment.
“Mr President, there is a Goliath here who is asking us where our God and father are,” Mutuma said.
“Our president, four people succumbed after being ambushed just the other day. Because you are here as the Commander in Chief, order the military to come here.”
“If you finished the insurgents in Lamu, there is no problem here? You did help Kenyans in Baringo and West Pokot. What is this that is here that is disturbing our peace here in Meru?” the recently sworn-in governor appealed.
The county chief’s statements came in the aftermath of a recent security crisis in which four National Police Service (NPS) reserve officers were ambushed by bandits and killed.
This morning I paid a courtesy call on the Meru Governor H.E Isaac Mutuma. We discussed various inter-governmental initiatives taking place in the County and explored ways of enhancing cooperation between the two levels of government. Specifically we have agreed on linking all… pic.twitter.com/9mHMDSBaL6
— Hon.Moses Kuria,HSC (@HonMoses_Kuria) April 17, 2025
According to Mutuma, the four were ambushed by young lads from a nearby neighborhood.
In a potentially provocative statement, the governor urged the president to enable his community to launch a retaliatory assault using unprintable language.
However, Ruto urged the governor not to retaliate, indicating that he would work with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to find a long-term solution to the problem.
“Do not make rungus, Mr Governor, leave that to me. I will deal with the issue together with my deputy, as we have done with other disturbed parts of the country before,” Ruto assured.
Furthermore, the Head of State announced that he will convene a consultative conference with regional leaders to address the region’s insecurity concerns.
According to the governor, despite police officers’ efforts to apprehend the robbers, four government stores remain missing.
Mutuma did, however, inform that the County Government of Meru would cancel the four’s hospital expenses in an effort to assist their loved ones.
KDF Deployment
Article 241(3)(c) of the Constitution states that the KDF may be deployed to restore peace in any section of Kenya plagued by disturbance or instability, but only with the National Assembly’s agreement.
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“The Defence Forces may be deployed to restore peace in any part of Kenya affected by unrest or instability with the approval of the National Assembly,” it reads.
Furthermore, sections 31 and 33 of the Kenya Defence Forces Act (2012) allow the President, as Commander-in-Chief, to authorise deployment for internal security.
However, such a deployment must be reported to Parliament within seven days.
The military, once deployed internally, operates under strict rules, and its role is supportive of civilian authority, primarily the National Police Service.
Governor Calls For Deployment Of KDF After Bandit Attack Kills Four Officers
