Former US President Donald Trump has invited the families of two National Guard members who were shot in Washington D.C. to the White House, following an attack that has left one soldier dead and another fighting for his life. The incident has intensified scrutiny over the controversial use of military forces in domestic law enforcement roles.

The invitation is to honour US Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, who was fatally shot, and to support the family of US Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, who remains in critical condition. "When you’re ready, because that’s a tough thing, come to the White House. We’re going to honor Sarah,” Trump told reporters.

Both soldiers, part of the West Virginia National Guard, were deployed in the US capital as part of a federal initiative to support local policing efforts—a mission whose legality has been challenged in US courts.

A Familiar Debate for Kenyans

The tragedy in the US capital raises difficult questions that resonate within Kenya: What is the proper role of the military in a civilian society? The deployment of soldiers for internal security is a sensitive and recurring topic locally, sparking constitutional and public debate.

Kenyan authorities have periodically deployed the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to manage internal security challenges, from counter-terrorism operations to quelling unrest. These deployments, such as 'Operation Maliza Uhalifu' in the North Rift, often lead to discussions about the militarisation of civilian spaces and the potential for friction between the armed forces and the public they are meant to protect.

Analysts and civil society groups in Kenya continue to stress that while the KDF's assistance can be crucial, the lines between military and police duties must remain clear to uphold democratic principles and civilian oversight.

A Community in Mourning

Back in West Virginia, communities have gathered for vigils to remember Beckstrom and pray for Wolfe's recovery. Jarrod Hankins, the principal of Beckstrom’s former high school, described her to the Associated Press as a student with "quiet strength, a contagious smile and a positive energy that lifted people around her." Funeral details for Specialist Beckstrom are still being arranged.