Kenyan Police Officer Defies Transfer After Opposing ‘Shoot to Kill’ Order on Protesters
Police Constable Hiram Kimathi, formerly stationed at Kyumbi Police Station near Machakos Junction, has sparked national attention and debate after refusing a transfer to the remote Todonyang Police Station in Turkana County.
Kimathi alleges that the transfer was a punitive response to his public opposition to recent government directives, including Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s controversial shoot order aimed at suppressing protests.
In a bold video and social media post, Kimathi declared that he would not obey the transfer order, calling it a political punishment disguised as an administrative move.
“This is not a transfer. It is a warning shot to every officer with a conscience. Speak out against the state, and you’ll be buried in isolation,” Kimathi posted on his TikTok page.
The Controversial ‘Shoot Order’
The controversy stems from a public declaration made by Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen on June 27, 2025, where he ordered police officers to shoot anyone who attempted to attack police stations during protests.
“We have directed the police that anyone who dares approach a police station with criminal intent, shoot them,” Murkomen said while speaking in Nairobi.
The directive was further backed by President William Ruto, who on July 9, during the launch of the Police Housing Project at Kilimani Police Station, told officers:
“Anyone deciding to storm a person’s business or a police station should be shot in the leg. Thereafter, they can go to court and see what follows next.”
These statements have come under widespread criticism from civil society groups, legal experts, and now, from within the police service itself, as Kimathi’s open defiance reveals internal tensions in the enforcement of these orders.
Kimathi’s Response: ‘I Swore to Uphold the Constitution’
Kimathi, a vocal presence on TikTok and other social platforms, posted a viral video condemning the statements made by Murkomen and Ruto, saying such orders amount to state-sanctioned executions and violate the Constitution.
“As a police officer, I took an oath to uphold the Constitution of Kenya. That oath does not include killing unarmed citizens because politicians say so,” he said.
He added that blind obedience to illegal directives was not patriotism but complicity.
The Transfer to Todonyang: A Punishment or Routine Move?
Following his video, Kimathi was issued a transfer letter dated July 10, instructing him to report to Todonyang Police Station, located in Turkana North, near the Ethiopia-Kenya border.
According to the letter, “You will proceed from Kyumbi Police Station to Todonyang Police Station and upon arrival, report to the officer commanding station for further instructions.”
However, Kimathi publicly rejected the transfer:
“I am not going anywhere. This is not a lawful reassignment. This is exile.”
Todonyang is widely known for its harsh conditions—frequent cross-border conflicts, limited resources, poor infrastructure, and high levels of insecurity. Officers posted there often describe it as one of the toughest stations in Kenya.
This has led many to believe that the transfer was not procedural but retaliatory, aimed at isolating Kimathi and silencing further dissent.
Support and Backlash: Kenyans React Online
Kimathi’s defiance has ignited a fierce debate online, with hashtags like #IStandWithKimathi, #SayNoToShootOrder, and #ProtectWhistleblowers trending on X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Facebook.
Many praised him as a patriot and a true protector of human rights, commending his courage to stand up not just to the state, but to an entire system that has long been accused of police brutality and human rights abuses.
“We need more officers like Kimathi—who understand their role is to protect citizens, not shoot them,” one user posted.
Others, however, warned that Kimathi’s insubordination could set a dangerous precedent in the force, where discipline and chain of command are foundational.
Still, civil rights organizations, including Amnesty International Kenya, Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), have voiced their support for Kimathi’s stand, calling for an end to politically motivated commands.
Legal Experts: ‘Shoot Orders Are Illegal’
Constitutional lawyers and human rights defenders argue that both Murkomen and Ruto’s comments violate the Constitution of Kenya, particularly Articles 26 and 29, which protect the right to life and freedom from cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
“No police officer should act on an unlawful order. These directives amount to extra-judicial instructions. Officer Kimathi is within his legal and moral right to reject them,” said constitutional lawyer Mercy Njoki during a media panel.
The Bigger Picture: Rising Discontent in the Police Service
Kimathi’s protest reveals a growing internal crisis within the National Police Service. For years, junior officers have complained of poor working conditions, political interference, delayed promotions, and being used as tools to oppress the same citizens they are meant to protect.
The government’s crackdown on Gen Z-led protests, such as the Saba Saba demonstrations and the #RejectFinanceBill2025 movement, has only deepened this divide. Officers are increasingly being thrust into confrontations with fellow citizens, sparking questions about loyalty to duty versus loyalty to country and law.
What Happens Next?
As of now, no disciplinary action has been formally announced against Kimathi. However, insiders suggest that the Internal Affairs Unit may be investigating the matter. Whether the police hierarchy will seek to suspend, demote, or dismiss Kimathi remains unclear.
Meanwhile, human rights organizations and legal observers are monitoring the case closely, warning that retaliating against him could spark more whistleblowing from within the force.
Conclusion: A New Kind of Courage
Constable Hiram Kimathi may be just one officer, but his public resistance against unlawful directives marks a turning point in the conversation around police accountability and state overreach in Kenya.
As civil society pushes for reform, and more youth demand justice in the streets and online, Kimathi’s voice joins a growing chorus that refuses to stay silent—even from within the ranks of the police.
His story will likely resonate for years to come as a symbol of conscience and courage in a time of state intimidation.