Kipchumba Murkomen Gives Police Shoot to Kill Orders for Anyone Protesting Near Stations
- Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen authorised police to use lethal force on anyone approaching or threatening police stations
- His remarks, made after the June 25 protests, signalled a shift toward force over dialogue in handling unrest
- Murkomen blamed the courts for releasing criminals and promised to defend officers who use their weapons
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nairobi - Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a directive authorising police officers to use lethal force.
Source: Facebook
The CS declared that this would be against anyone who approaches or attempts to attack police stations, remarks that have escalated fears over state repression amid growing dissent.
Speaking on Thursday, June 26, just a day after nationwide protests rocked major towns during the June 25 anniversary demonstrations, Murkomen defended the police.
Search option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner ;)
Murkomen's remarks appeared to make reference to the storming of police stations and government buildings during protests, including the deadly June 25, 2024, demonstrations that sparked this year’s commemorations.
His tone signalled a sharp shift away from dialogue and restraint, instead endorsing force as the default response to unrest.
He underscored the failures of the justice system, pointing out that criminals are arrested, arraigned and released by the courts.
"The problem that sometimes makes police officers shoot criminals is that they arrest them, they get released, and then they come back to mock the police, telling them, 'So, where did we reach? There’s nowhere you’re going.' Isn’t that true? And we have told the police that anyone who comes near a police station, shoot them," Murkomen declared, sparking uproar.
Will Kenyan police be accountable for excess force?
The CS stated that attacks on police officers and installations had reached unacceptable levels, citing chaotic scenes where some stations and officers came under threat.
He encouraged police officers to use their weapons to defend themselves and state institutions, despite the police being on the spot over their excesses.
"We can no longer accept police officers being attacked, or police stations or government offices being targeted. We cannot! What happened yesterday was the last time. This gun you’ve been given here, I wasn’t given it, and you weren’t given it for decoration.
"If someone tries to come to the police station to take guns or to attack you, they want to take your life, save yourself first. That other story about 'what did you do' we’ll deal with later, and I will be at the forefront to defend you," he urged the officers.
The Interior CS doubled down on his stance, stating that the government was fully backing law enforcement and that officers would not be held individually responsible for taking lethal action in self-defence.
Source: Facebook
He also dismissed criticism from human rights groups and sections of the public, who have decried rising police violence and called for investigations into the deaths of protestors.
Murkomen went further, claiming the directive wasn’t solely his but had been sanctioned "from above," reinforcing concerns that the order had full backing from the highest levels of government.
"You have to protect yourself, protect the country, and we will defend you to the hilt. And won’t you see? Let them bring their English, saying yesterday was this and that. You’ll see what I will do. And this is not just from me, it’s an order from above," the CS said.
Why did Murkomen praise police?
Earlier, Murkomen applauded police for their firm handling of Gen Z protests on June 25, commending their efforts to thwart what he described as an attempted coup targeting State House and Parliament.
He said officers operated under intense pressure and assured them full government support, including legal defence, asserting none had used excessive force.
Murkomen defended the use of firearms, arguing that when officers face threats, such as attacks on armouries or attempts to seize guns, they are justified in defending themselves.
Read also
Nairobi police force protesters to return Uhuru Park sculptures they'd dragged into streets
However, the directive has received widespread condemnation from political leaders, lawyers, and human rights activists, who are demanding Murkomen's resignation.
Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka said the directive was dangerous and risks plunging the country into anarchy.
His remarks were echoed by Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo, who said the directive was illegal and would be challenged in court.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
