The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has condemned the arrest of its soldiers by police officers in Lodwar, Turkana County on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.

Images and videos of the incident shared on social media showed police officers escorting the four soldiers into the station - ordering them to sit down on the dirt.

According to Turkana Central Sub-County Police Commander Samwel Boit, the soldiers allegedly disarmed Constable Cleophas Makhapila at a roadblock near Turkana University College, slapped him and ordered him to kneel. When he failed to do so, they shot severally in the air to intimidate him.

“You are shooting in the air? Is that how you guys are taught, sincerely speaking?” Boit could be heard asking in the video.

The soldiers were reportedly released after they colleagues stormed the station.

In a statement on Thursday, April 18, 2022, KDF claimed that arrest of the soldiers was intended to embarrass and humiliate them.

"The incident, though localized and occurring at a tactical level, is of great concern to the entire KDF fraternity. It also degrades the complementary spirit in Multi-Agency environments, and operations," the statement read in part.

KDF also claims that the military men neither assaulted Constable Makhapila nor did they storm the police station demanding release of their colleagues.

"Joint investigations by the relevant competent authorities to further establish facts on this unfortunate incident are ongoing and the outcome will inform next course of action," the statement reads.

It lauded soldiers deployed in Lodwar, claiming theirs professionalism, and restraint 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 is fully seized of the obligation to co-operate, and assist other authorities in Multi-Agency efforts to provide security, and defence for Kenya," KDF concluded.

The video which was widely circulated online elicited mixed reactions from members of the public. A majority castigated the sibling rivalry between the two security apparatuses -  calling for harmony in ensuring the country's safety.