The Military Court Martial of the KDF Officer and 20 service men

In 2007/8 when the American War in Afghanistan and Iraq was taking a turn for the worse…The Private Military Contractors came recruiting in Kenya using one of their agent firms…offering astronomical high salaries for people with military training to offer security services in coalition installations. They attracted quite a high number and these officers mostly from the Navy resigned from their postings and left thee country.On coming back 2 years ago they were instructed to report to the Kenya Navy Base mtongwe and were then arrested and charged in a court martial with desertation from active duty which attracts a maximum jail term of 2 years.The charges were substituted and a new one of deserting service in time of war preferred against them.This charge attracts a life sentence.All of them were found guilty and jailed for life but the Court of Appeal overturned the verdict due to serious irregularities on the process and sentencing.
Though a lot has been said about the way the case was conducted…I think the military was sending a powerful message to its rank and file…both serving and retired that they can not just leave and serve in private armies and as mercenaries without following the due process.If ever Halliburton comes recruiting again they will think twice …
Or was it a case of sour grapes…you be the judge

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fuck that,we go where the money is

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They were however pardoned recently and set free it was in the dailies

It was not a pardon …they were serving jail term for life and their families appealed to the Court of Appeal which overturned their sentencing. a pardon ni kama umesamehewa

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correct was just about to correct the use of the term pardon

However, I never knew a civilian court can hear out a case decided by the Court Martial system.

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Court of appeal iko higher in the hierarchy

For a service man in the KDF you have to sign a commission for I think 9 years (im not sure) a commission is like a binding contract…you cannot resign mid stream …unless by special permission or you get dismissed from service…for you to be be discharged honoroubly you have to serve your full commission and then choose on whether to renew or not…if you choose to leave you apply for a discharge and a board considers your application and if you are of good conduct you are given back your civilian ID and a green book…without this two you cannot get a job anywhere even in the private sector so you remain languishing in the village…Unaweza Hata ambiwa ukuwe una report kwa chief every week

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In their defence this men claim they were not serving officers at the time and some had even been honoroubly discharged…also it emerged that the prosecution was selective because many more went to Iraq and Afghanistan and were not among the ones charged

The army is just complicated, my cousin was discharged(unhonourably I think) around Feb this year, she was sent on leave for six months, in June this year she was called back and given her job back.

desertion,
dishonourably

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The prosecution could not prove that Kenya was at war at that particular time

The court of appeal can appeal against the decision of any court except only the supreme court

Who was the recruiting agent?#brokers

If the army/airforce and navy focused more on stopping contraband from passing through Kismayu to Kenya, the al-Shaboons would have been weakened significantly. Sasa wanafuata watu wanatafutia familia zao unga. SMH.

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They now possess their IDS. They voted in 2012. @imei2012 can clarify this

what does that green book contain and its significance??

I can’t remember the name of the firm

If they were given walizirudisha after voting…hawakubaliwi kuwa nazo

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I will try to find out by I think it’s more of a certificate of discharge showing you are of good conduct

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So complicated and pretty hard to understand

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