KDF Addresses Reports Of Soldiers Assaulting Police Officers In Lodwar

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has dismissed reports that soldiers assaulted a police officer and stormed a police station in Lodwar Turkana County.

In a statement on Thursday, April 18, KDF said joint investigations by relevant authorities have begun to establish facts of the incident.

"Notably, it has so far been established that; KDF soldiers neither, "assaulted" police officers nor, "stormed" the station as alleged. Joint investigations by the relevant competent authorities to further establish facts on this unfortunate incident are ongoing and the outcome will inform the next course of action,” read the statement in part.

KDF noted that the arrest and detainment of its officers in Lodwar is demeaning and was intended to embarrass humiliate and create alarm.

The force mentioned that the incident is of great concern to the KDF fraternity and degrades the complementary spirit in Multi-Agency environments, and operations.

“The exercise of professionalism and restraint by KDF troops operating in Lodwar is recognized and commended. The troops deployed in Lodwar and in other areas remain professional, subordinate to civilian authority, as stipulated in the Constitution of Kenya 2010, and a reliable partner in the Multi-Agency approaches towards enhancement on the delivery of security dividends,” KDF stated.

Further, KDF said it would continue cooperating and assisting other authorities in Multi-Agency efforts to provide security, and defence for Kenya.

The statement comes after four KDF soldiers were arrested after disarming a police officer who was manning a roadblock in Lodwar.

The KDF officers were allegedly heading back to the barracks while driving a water bowser when they met the said officer who had erected a roadblock.

Upon reaching the roadblock, the KDF officers allegedly confronted the police officer for delaying their trip. They ordered him to go on his knees but the police officer refused.

The KDF officers then disarmed him and fired in the air before proceeding with their journey.

However, news of the incident prompted other police officers to rush to Moi Gardens where they also fired shots that caused tension in Lodwar town, before arresting the four KDF men.