Kenya’s High Court has approved the use of force to restore order after days of anti-tax protests overwhelmed police.
More than 20 people have reportedly been killed in nationwide protests, led mainly by young people opposed to the government’s plan to increase taxes.
Armored military vehicles patrolled the streets of the capital Nairobi on Thursday as police fired tear gas to disperse protesters who threatened to attack the presidential palace.
A judge said the military deployment was vital to protecting government installations but gave authorities two days to clarify how long it would last and its rules of engagement.
Judge Lawrence Mugambi ruled: “The deployment of the military in a comprehensive manner without clarity on the scope and duration of its operations is a dangerous trend that could lead to the militarization of the country.”
The Kenya Bar Association has petitioned the court to order the troops to return to their barracks, saying it “respects but disagrees” with the ruling.
President William Ruto bowed to pressure on Wednesday and said he would withdraw a finance bill containing unpopular tax proposals, a day after Parliament was briefly stormed and set on fire by angry protesters.
Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura told BBC Newsday The withdrawal of the bill is a huge blow to the government as it leaves a “big hole” in the budget.
“This is indeed a big setback,” said Mr Mwala, who blamed Kenyans for opposing the plan and “misinformation”.
He added: “There is a well-orchestrated campaign, both locally and internationally, to mislead and mislead people so that they can launch an insurgency.”
The finance bill aims to raise taxes to help reduce the country’s debt burden, as required by lenders such as the International Monetary Fund.
Many protesters doubt the president will implement the austerity measures he announced Wednesday.
They were also outraged by reports of arbitrary kidnappings of protesters and the killing of at least 23 people, according to the doctors’ association. Some are now calling for the president to step down.
State agents have been accused of kidnapping hundreds of people in connection with the protests.
Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Faith Odhiambo said many of those released were not physically injured but were severely traumatized and unwilling to talk about the experience.
“Most of them were left on the roadside in shock. One of them went to the village where he said he felt safer next to his mother,” Ms Otiambo told local radio.
Kenya’s state-funded National Human Rights Commission said it had helped secure the release of more than 300 people “unlawfully detained”.
Vice President Rigati Gachagua lamented that the criminal justice system was being used to govern national politics.
Chief Justice Martha Coombe also condemned the kidnapping, saying it amounted to a direct attack on the rule of law.
But Mr Mwala denied this and said “criminal elements who want to stage a coup” were trying to take advantage of the peaceful protests.
