MPs have taken the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to task for involvement in civilian projects while pushing its core mandate to the back burner.
The lawmakers cautioned that distracting engagements could compromise the country’s territorial integrity.
Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru had a difficult time defending military involvement in civilian projects before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the National Assembly.
The PAC members cited the numerous border incursions into Kenyan territory by the aggressors with the recent abduction of five Chiefs who were abducted in Mandera by the Al Shabab adherents.
There is also the harassment of fishermen by Ugandan security personnel in the Kenyan waters of Lake Victoria, the raids in Turkana by Toposa from Southern Sudan, and the members of the Oromo Liberation Army from Ethiopia.
“There is a debate that KDF is veering off its core mandate to engage in civilian projects that can be easily undertaken by local companies. Do you think there is conflict?” posed Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera.
“KDF is doing amazing work and people may make conclusions because of one incident,” said Mr Mariru adding; “KDF is happy when Kenya is secure and we must be proud of what KDF does.”
“The involvement of KDF in national projects is not outside what they are supposed to do. KDF is detailed to undertake certain projects,” said the PS.
KDF has seen the launch of operational vehicles and engineering equipment, the commissioning of Kenya Shipyards Limited, and the restoration of Kenya Meat Commission among others.
However, Rarieda MP Dr Otiende Amolo told the PS that the Kenyan borders are no longer safe from foreign aggressions.
“The incursions happen all over the Kenyan borders including Lake Victoria,” said Dr Amolo even as Butere MP Tindi Mwale, the PAC Vice Chairman told the PS that KDF would serve Kenyans better if they stick to their mandate.
“Let KDF stick to its mandate. Recently five chiefs were abducted in Mandera and taken inside the neighbouring Somalia. There is also the issue of Migingo where our fishermen and women are harassed in Kenyan waters of Lake Victoria by Ugandan security officers,” said Mr Mwale.
He added: “This calls for KDF to stick to its mandate. Why take our officers to Haiti when you cannot secure our borders?”
KDF has undertaken many civilian projects in the country, including road construction, humanitarian assistance, and building infrastructure.
Under the road construction sector, KDF has built roads, including a wide bridge in Narok, and has also worked on road projects in collaboration with other ministries and agencies.
Mr Mariru told the MPs that the projects are overseen jointly with the relevant agency of the government.
“We do the projects jointly though DoD is in charge. We get funds from the relevant government agencies transferred to us for the projects we are doing and this involvement by KDF in civilian national projects does not compromise its core mandate,” the PS said.
The humanitarian assistance sector has seen KDF provide food supplies and medical care to communities affected by drought, flooding, and insecurity among others.
There is also the renovation of schools and building of classrooms in Lamu and Garissa counties by KDF.
Under the building infrastructure, the military undertook the renovation of the Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC), the country’s premier conference venue among other projects including maritime projects.
The other projects by KDF include overseeing the construction of Nairobi's Talanta Sports City project that has been earmarked to host the African Nations Championships (CHAN) 2025 to be held in Kenya.
