Kenya’s Supreme Court has approved the use of military force to restore order, after days of anti-tax protests left police helpless.
More than 20 people are believed to have died in nationwide protests, led largely by youths, against the government’s planned tax hikes.
Armored military vehicles patrolled the streets of the capital Nairobi on Thursday as police fired tear gas to disperse protesters who threatened to storm the presidential palace.
A judge said the military deployment was vital to protect government facilities but gave the administration two days to clarify how long the deployment would last, along with the rules of engagement.
Judge Lawrence Mugambi ruled: “The blanket deployment of the military without defining the scope of their operations and the duration of their operations is a dangerous trend that could lead to the militarization of the country.” .
The Kenya Bar Association, which petitioned the court to order the army to return to barracks, said it “respects but disagrees” with the ruling.
President William Ruto on Wednesday bowed to pressure and vowed to withdraw a finance bill containing unpopular tax proposals, a day after parliament was stormed by angry protesters and burn.
Isaac Mwaura, government spokesman, told the BBC’s Newsday programme that the bill’s withdrawal was a “huge blow to the government because it left a “huge hole” in the budget.
“It really is a huge setback,” Mr. Mwaura said, blaming “misinformed” Kenyans for opposing it.
He added: “There has been a very well-orchestrated campaign, both domestically and internationally, to mislead and distract public opinion so that people can riot.”
The finance bill aims to raise taxes to help ease the country’s debt burden, at the request of lenders, including the International Monetary Fund.
Many protesters doubted whether the president would carry out the austerity measures he announced on Wednesday.
They are also angry over reports of arbitrary kidnappings of protesters and the killing of at least 23 people, according to a doctors’ association. Some are now calling for the president to resign.
State agents have been accused of kidnapping hundreds of people in connection with the protests.
Faith Odhiambo, president of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), said many of those released had no physical injuries but were so traumatized that they did not want to talk about the experience.
“Most of the children were thrown on the roadside and left in a state of utter panic. One child ran back to the village where he said he felt safer near his mother,” Ms Odhiambo told a local radio station.
The state-funded Kenya National Human Rights Commission said it had helped secure the release of more than 300 people who had been “illegally detained”.
Vice President Rigathi Gachagua expressed regret that the criminal justice system was being used to govern the country’s politics.
Chief Justice Martha Koome also condemned the kidnappings, saying they were a direct attack on the rule of law.
But Mr Mwaura denied this and said “criminal elements seeking a coup” had tried to take advantage of the peaceful protests.
