NASA in court to stop deployment of KDF during polls

The National Super Alliance (NASA) has moved to court challenging the alleged plan by the National Government to deploy Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers to areas listed as violence hot spots during the August 8, 2017 election, citing lack of Parliamentary approval.

Now NASA, in the petition filed at the High Court in Nairobi, claims that it is not aware of any approval to deploy KDF in the said areas.

In a certificate of urgency filed at the Milimani Law Court, NASA claims that the said decision will adversely affect the citizens and KDF are likely to intimidate and harass them and thereby constrain the political rights of Kenyans.

The Ministry of Defense and Ag. CS for Interior have been named as respondents in the petition.

Earlier this month, the government imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Lamu, Tana River and Garissa counties, with NASA sensing mischief in the move especially when the country is heading to polls in less than a month’s time saying that Jubilee wants to technically bar the electorates from casting their votes freely for fear and intimidation.

During the Presidential Debate, which President Kenyatta boycotted, NASA flag bearer Raila Odinga once again said that it is wrong for the government to deploy the military during the elections, insisting that they are only supposed to protect our borders from external threats.