Charles Owino Defends CS Murkomen's Shoot-to-Kill Order: "We Must Tell the Truth"
- Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen’s remarks on police conduct ignited fierce public and political reactions
- Former police spokesperson Charles Owino weighed in on the heated national debate, offering a controversial defence
- His remarks came after the latest unrest left a trail of casualties and destruction, prompting urgent urgent directive by the CS to protect public property
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Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.
Nairobi: Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s directive on the use of lethal force by police officers has continued to spark heated reactions across the country, as the fallout from the recent anti-police brutality protests intensifies.
Source: Facebook
Murkomen directed police to use lethal force against civilians who approach police stations with the intent to cause violence or seize firearms.
The directive came amid a wave of unrest that saw at least 17 people killed by gunfire, hundreds injured, including police officers, and several government facilities, such as police stations, county offices, and the Kikuyu Law Courts, set ablaze.
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While many leaders have condemned Murkomen’s remarks, former police spokesperson Charles Owino came to his defence during an interview with Citizen TV on Monday, June 30.
What did Charles Owino say about Murkomen's directive?
Owino argued that the CS likely made the statement out of frustration over the violence and growing pressure on the police, who he said have shown restraint under extreme conditions.
"He said that out of annoyance, out of what people have done and out of the restraint the police have had," he claimed.
According to Owino, while the directive may have been emotionally charged, it highlights a larger issue regarding the balance between public safety and law enforcement authority.
He stressed that under certain legally defined circumstances, police officers are justified in using firearms.
“Let us tell these Kenyans the truth. If the public realises police cannot use firearms, we risk descending into total anarchy,” Owino said, citing Kenya’s police population of about 120,000 compared to over 50 million citizens.
Read also
Raila Odinga rebukes CS Murkomen for issuing shoot-to-kill orders to police: "Shame on you"
Further, he argued that if there is no justification for police officers to use firearms, lawmakers should agree on how to prohibit their issuance.
What did Raila say about shoot-to-kill order?
ODM leader Raila Odinga, on the other hand, criticised the use of lethal force by police, emphasising that law enforcement officers are not authorised to kill, even in the face of criminal activity.
Source: UGC
He condemned any directives instructing officers to shoot individuals approaching police stations, calling such actions unconstitutional and unacceptable.
While expressing condolences to families who lost loved ones during the Gen Z-led protests, Raila insisted that state agencies must be held accountable for the excessive force used against demonstrators.
Sammy Ondimu seeks protester who helped injured cop
Meanwhile, during the demonstrations, Constable Emily Kanyi was struck in the leg and fell to the ground after the police were overwhelmed by a crowd of protesters.
Nakuru-based police officer Sammy Ondimu publicly appealed to the protester who saved her life from the angry mob, expressing his deep gratitude for the brave act.
Ondimu said he hopes to meet the individual, thank him personally, and treat his family to lunch or dinner in recognition of his heroism.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
