Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued strict new guidelines to police officers regarding the use of force, especially during public protests.
In his latest directive, Murkomen emphasized the need for police restraint and clarified when officers are legally allowed to use firearms or any form of force.
The directive, titled Policy Directive No. 1 of 2025 on the Use of Force and Firearms, was introduced as part of efforts to ensure policing remains lawful, proportionate, and in line with human rights standards.
Murkomen directed all police officers to act within the law, adhere to standing orders, and follow established policy rules when handling protesters or any tense public situation.
According to the CS, firearms or force should never be the first option. He instructed officers to always attempt peaceful, non-violent methods before resorting to any form of physical force.
“Officers shall not use force or firearms against any individual unless it is absolutely necessary for self-defense or for protecting others from an immediate threat of death or serious injury,” the directive read.
Murkomen added that even in cases where force is necessary, it must always meet three basic conditions — it must be lawful, proportionate, and reasonable to achieve a valid law enforcement purpose.
Referring specifically to protests, Murkomen stated that officers are not allowed to shoot unless they believe the person is directly engaging in, or is about to engage in, an act that could seriously injure or kill someone, and there are no other options to prevent that danger.
While defending the right of officers to protect themselves from violent attacks, Murkomen stressed the importance of using just the right amount of force — no more than what is necessary. He said officers must consider several key factors when judging how much force to apply, including:
- The person’s actions and level of resistance
- Whether the individual is showing signs of non-compliance or aggression
- If the situation involves a real threat of serious bodily harm or death to law enforcement officers
“If force is absolutely unavoidable,” Murkomen directed, “officers must use it sparingly, apply it in proportion to the seriousness of the offence, aim to reduce harm and injuries, and always uphold the value of human life.”
He outlined four mandatory principles to follow when force is used:
- Restraint: Officers must limit the force applied to only what is necessary.
- Proportionality: The level of force must match the seriousness of the threat or crime.
- Minimum Damage: Officers should take all reasonable steps to minimize injuries or fatalities.
- Preserve Life: Every action must reflect a respect for human life and dignity.
Murkomen also ordered that any person injured during such operations must be given medical assistance as quickly as possible. Additionally, police must immediately inform the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) about any incident involving the use of force or firearms.
He strongly warned that force must never be used as a form of punishment and emphasized that once a suspect is safely in custody, no additional force is legally justified.
The CS further instructed the National Police Service (NPS) to review and update its training materials, operational manuals, and procedures in response to the recent protest-related incidents.
He urged the force to promote a culture of accountability and ensure that every officer understands the serious responsibility that comes with policing.
Murkomen acknowledged that modern policing is challenging, especially in times of civil unrest, but insisted that respect for the law and public safety must remain at the center of every officer’s actions.
His announcement follows recent controversy sparked by President William Ruto’s shoot-to-the-leg directive, which was meant to deter violent protesters but was met with widespread criticism from the public and human rights groups.
This also comes just after Murkomen himself had issued a shoot-to-kill order to police officers to stop individuals attempting to storm police stations — a command that raised serious debate about police brutality and the limits of force.
With the public still on edge following the June 25 protests, Murkomen’s latest directive appears to be a step toward reinforcing order, legality, and human rights in police operations across Kenya.
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