The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has dismissed allegations that its soldiers assaulted police officers in Lodwar. 

In a press statement on Thursday April 18, 2024, the KDF dismissed reports circulating on social media about the arrest of KDF soldiers at Lodwar Police station on Wednesday April 17, 2024. 

At the same time, KDF has called for joint investigations to establish facts on the alleged incident.

“Our attention has been drawn to videos, photos, and texts circulating on both mainstream and social media on the arrest of KDF soldiers at a Lodwar Police station yesterday, Wednesday 17 April 2024. 

“The orchestration of the detainment is demeaning in context, intended to embarrass, humiliate, and to create alarm. 

The incident, though localized and occurring at a tactical level, is of great concern to the entire KDF fraternity,” read part of the KDF statement. 

In addition, the military noted that the allegations degrade the complementary spirit in Multi- Agency environments, and operations.

“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,” KDF noted.

Meanwhile, KDF maintained that its soldiers always observed professionalism, and restraint while on duty in Lodwar and other parts of the country.

“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,” read part of the KDF statement.

The KDF response came a day after four soldiers linked to KDF were arrested by police officers in Lodwar after allegedly slapping and disarming a traffic officer who was manning a roadblock. 

According to a police report, the KDF officers allegedly slapped the traffic police officer after he delayed in removing the road block.

The incident that was captured in a video caused a nationwide uproar on social media, as most Kenyans raised concern about the behavior of KDF soldiers.

The KDF soldiers were detained at Lodwar Police Station after their arrest, even though they refused to provide their identities.