A military and security expert has shed light on why Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers were spotted at Parliament during the recent anti-finance bill demonstrations.
On Sunday, June 27, 2025, the BBC aired an exposé titled “Parliament of Blood,” which analyzed how Kenyan security agencies, including KDF, were involved in the deadly crackdown on youth protesters opposing the controversial 2024 Finance Bill.
The BBC’s detailed investigation released previously unseen videos and photographs from the day of the protests. Among the footage was a clip allegedly showing a KDF officer firing at a protester who was later confirmed dead.
The 37-minute documentary highlighted discrepancies in uniforms, pointing out that the alleged KDF shooter was dressed differently from regular police officers, making him easily distinguishable on the chaotic scene.
In a series of tweets responding to the BBC exposé implicating KDF in the shooting melee, security and military expert Chris Sambu clarified that the KDF officers captured in the documentary were part of a military platoon stationed at Parliament and guarding the Jomo Kenyatta monument.
He further emphasized that KDF officers act only under clear senior orders.
“The revelations that a KDF officer was captured shooting at protesters must be accompanied by a responsibility of who issued such an order — or, if not, whether the officers acted on their own! KDF has to do some explanation!” Sambu posted.
The presence of KDF personnel has raised serious concerns among citizens, legal experts, and human rights groups, given that the Kenyan Constitution restricts military involvement in internal security unless under exceptional circumstances authorized by Parliament.
According to security analysts, the deployment could have been triggered under Article 241(3)(c) of the Constitution, which allows the military to assist police forces when public order is threatened.
Regarding the claims that Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers were involved in the shooting, the KDF denied the allegations, asserting that it is a professional service committed to neutrality.
