Nairobi — The High Court has declined to outlaw the deployment of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers to help police quell anti-budget protests.

The court instead gave the government two days to outline the duration the military will be out, its scope and areas of intervention.

"Continuation of military assistance is necessary in view of the need to preserve order and protect military infrastructure," ruled Justice Lawrence Mugambi.

The judge ordered the government to urgently Gazette, within two days, all the military's terms of engagement.

The military was released from the baracks on June 25, 2024 when demonstrators stormed Parliament and set a section of it on fire in protest against the Finance Bill 2024 which was passed by MPs.

Several protesters were shot during the incursion, with many more injured or arrested.

In turn, Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale gazetted the military deployment on the president's orders in what angered Kenyans, civil society and the Opposition Azimio Coalition.

The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) too voiced concerns against the deployment, saying it was akin to turning Kenya to a military state.