Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a controversial shoot-to-kill directive to police officers in response to growing attacks on law enforcement and police stations during recent protests and unrest.
Speaking to security personnel on Thursday, June 26, Murkomen instructed officers to use lethal force against anyone posing a direct threat to police officers or attempting to raid police facilities.
“Tumeambia polisi, mtu yeyote ambaye atakaribia police station, piga yeye risasi,” (We have directed the police that anyone who dares approach a police station with criminal intent, shoot them), the CS declared.
Rising Violence Against Police
Murkomen attributed the directive to an alarming rise in attacks targeting police personnel and infrastructure. He cited recent incidents where mobs stormed police stations, looted firearms, and assaulted officers. During the June 25 protests, over 300 officers were reportedly injured, and several police posts were torched or vandalized.
“They get released on small bond, return to fight police, and even mock them. This must come to an end,” Murkomen said, blaming the criminal justice system for enabling repeat offenders.
The Interior CS stressed that the government would no longer tolerate police officers being “sitting targets”, arguing that the escalation of violence necessitates firm and immediate action to restore order.
Clarification After Public Concern
Murkomen’s remarks triggered swift reactions from Kenyans, many of whom questioned whether the directive applied broadly, including to civilians seeking help at police stations.
In a prompt clarification, the CS stated that the order only targets armed individuals who pose an immediate threat to officers or seek to steal firearms from police facilities.
“Those looking for help, shelter, and reporting cases are okay. But people who come to snatch guns from the police, those who attack police and think that guns are toys must be stopped,” he emphasized.
Context: Police Under Siege
The directive comes in the wake of violent anti-government demonstrations held on June 25 to mark the anniversary of deadly protests in 2023. What began as peaceful marches turned chaotic, with clashes between police and protesters, destruction of property, and multiple reported fatalities.
In one of the latest incidents, residents of Ndunyu, Nyandarua County allegedly set a police station ablaze after an officer reportedly shot a villager, further intensifying tensions between communities and law enforcement.
Balancing Security and Human Rights
Murkomen’s directive is expected to spark legal and human rights debates, with critics likely to challenge it on the grounds of excessive force and potential abuse. The announcement comes just as the United Nations Human Rights Commission condemned the use of lethal force against protesters, calling for accountability and investigations into police conduct.
As the government grapples with restoring public order, it faces the complex challenge of balancing national security with the constitutional rights of its citizens — especially the right to life, due process, and peaceful assembly.