Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has dismissed claims that a coup was imminent in July 2024 during the anti-government protests.  

Tuya, appearing before the Senate on Wednesday, March 19, was responding to a question by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna about a recently published report stating that the country would have been militarised without Raila Odinga.  

The question followed reports in which Odinga allegedly stated that a friend he chose not to name had gotten wind of a plan to hand over power when the President called in the military to support the overwhelmed police during the June 25, 2024 protests.  

Odinga claimed that the friend urged him to intervene urgently to prevent such an outcome. 

“Ruto can be removed through the ballot, but once soldiers get out of the barracks, they never go back,” Odinga said, justifying his decision to support President Ruto’s government, which ultimately led to a formal cooperation agreement.  

However, Tuya denied the reports, saying: “The reports are baseless, misleading and reckless.”  

Regarding the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) involvement in internal security matters, Tuya explained that the Constitution allows them to step in when necessary.  

“The Constitution makes provision for instances when KDF may be deployed internally. Therefore, for KDF to effectively discharge its mandate, it must retain situational awareness on internal security issues at all times.”  

She added: “The KDF is strictly bound by the principles of national security as defined by Article 238 of the Constitution. KDF is subject to the authority of the Constitution and Parliament and carries out its activities in strict compliance with the law.”  

On the Al Shabaab attack in Mangai, Lamu East Sub-County, Tuya said an investigation is currently ongoing, and details will be revealed in due time.