CS Murkomen Changes Tune, Says No Law Permits Police to Kill Citizens
- Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen disowned any law permitting police to kill civilians, promising tough action against officers who misuse force
- President William Ruto previously issued a controversial directive allowing police to shoot looters in the leg
- Rising concerns over police brutality have sparked alarm from civil society and rights groups, warning of potential misuse of state power
TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya
Kipchumba Murkomen, in what seemed like a sharp U-turn from his earlier shoot-to-kill directive, now says police must respect the sanctity of life.
Source: Facebook
The Interior Cabinet Secretary stated categorically that no clause in the Kenyan Constitution allows police officers to kill innocent civilians.
Can police officers shoot civilians?
Speaking to the press on Tuesday, July 15, the CS emphasised that all law enforcement officers are bound by the law and will be held accountable for any actions that violate it.
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“Police officers are expected to act strictly within the confines of the law. Any officer accused of unlawful killings, whether in uniform or not, must be investigated and prosecuted,” Murkomen said.
He reaffirmed that no one is above the law, least of all those entrusted with upholding it.
Murkomen disclosed that the government had already begun taking action against rogue officers, noting that one officer has been arrested and is currently facing murder charges in court.
He promised tougher oversight, announcing that a new policy directive on the use of force and firearms will be issued this Friday, under Article 245(4) of the Constitution.
"Cognisant of the raging debate and national concerns on the use of force by security personnel, I will this Friday, pursuant to Article 245 (4) of the Constitution, be issuing a policy directive to the inspector general of police on the use of force an firearms by law enforcement officers," he added.
In response to the national outcry over recent violent protests, Murkomen acknowledged the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, demonstrations, and picketing.
However, he condemned the violence witnessed during the June 25 and Saba Saba protests, where health facilities, ambulances, private businesses, and government installations were attacked and looted.
“I urge all Kenyans to reject violence and pursue grievances through lawful channels,” he said. “We must not give criminals a chance to hijack legitimate protests and destabilise our nation.”
Despite his calls for peace, Murkomen has faced criticism over a previous directive allowing police to use lethal force during protests.
Did Murkomen direct police to shoot civilians?
Following the June 25 unrest, the CS authorised officers to shoot to kill anyone who approached or threatened police stations.
He argued this was necessary due to repeated attacks on law enforcers and growing lawlessness, blaming the judiciary for releasing suspects who then reoffended.
Murkomen also claimed the directive was not a personal decision but had support from higher authorities in government.
His remarks sparked backlash from civil rights groups and human rights defenders, who warned that such orders could enable abuse and escalate already rising concerns about police brutality and extrajudicial killings.
Source: Facebook
Ruto orders police to shoot looters in the leg
In a separate but related development, President William Ruto also weighed in on the issue of protest-related violence.
Speaking in Kilimani, the president ordered police to shoot looters in the leg, stating that offenders should be neutralised, taken to hospital, and then prosecuted.
Ruto further warned political figures believed to be fuelling unrest, vowing that anyone sponsoring violence or attacking security agencies would be met with firm resistance.
However, his call to use force sparked unease among legal experts and human rights watchdogs, who argued that such pronouncements risk blurring the lines between lawful policing and state-sanctioned violence.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
