Uhuru Responds to Accusations of Militarizing the Country

President Kenyatta has defended himself and his administration against allegations of militarizing the country.

Critics have in the recent past questioned Kenyatta’s decision to deploy Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) officers in civilian State agencies, terming it a dangerous precedent that could encourage a military takeover.

But speaking on Tuesday, Uhuru said the involvement of military personnel in service delivery was due to their professionalism, patriotism, and commitment to serving the country.

“I am not militarizing anything. I am using reliable Kenyan citizens to fulfill my agenda for this Republic. And the KDF are part of us and are also part of our citizens,” said Kenyatta.

“I have no such intention (militarizing the nation). But it is only a fool who would not use those who can perform to help him achieve his intended goals,” he added.

Uhuru, who spoke at the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) garage in Industrial Area, Nairobi, where he flagged off 83 refurbished vehicles, further urged Kenyans working in different sectors of the economy to emulate the efficiency exhibited by KDF.

“If all of us in Kenya operated and behaved; and loved and served their country in the manner in which our Kenya Defense Forces does, Kenya would today be a great country. And we all have a big lesson to learn,” he remarked.

The vehicles had been lying at the facility as scrap metal for years before NMS, which was established this year, repaired them at a cost of Sh22 million in two months’ time. They include 21 tipper trucks, 24 fire engines, six ambulances, three hydraulic street lighting platforms, two scrub street sweepers, and two graders.

NMS is headed by Major General Mohammed Badi, who was appointed by President Kenyatta to run key functions handed over to the national government by the Nairobi County government earlier this year. 

Uhuru mentioned some of the projects that have been successfully implemented by KDF including the rehabilitation of old railway lines, the port of Kisumu, and restoration of ships.