Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has come forward to explain his controversial “shoot-to-kill” remarks made to police officers, which sparked public concern. He said his comments were misunderstood and taken out of context.
Speaking on Friday afternoon during a police graduation ceremony held at the Border Police Training Centre in Kanyonyo, Kitui County, Murkomen clarified that the government is not encouraging the reckless use of firearms.
Instead, he emphasized that police officers are properly trained and fully understand their responsibilities under the law. He stressed that any officer who misuses their firearm will still be held accountable.
Murkomen explained that his earlier statement was intended as a precautionary measure to protect the lives of police officers in dangerous situations. “We have not asked police officers to use their guns carelessly. What we are saying is that they must be able to protect themselves if their lives are in danger,” the CS said.
He went on to say that some police officers hesitate to use their weapons, even when necessary, because they are afraid of being arrested or prosecuted. “But what happens if they are killed by criminals simply because they feared acting?” Murkomen posed, urging the officers to defend themselves if attacked.
His clarification followed growing criticism from the public and legal professionals, including strong opposition from the Law Society of Kenya (LSK). LSK President Faith Odhiambo sharply criticized Murkomen’s earlier comments, saying the statement was reckless and dangerous.
In a statement released on Friday, June 27, Odhiambo warned that such language could lead to a rise in extrajudicial killings by police officers. She reminded Kenyans that police are mandated to maintain law and order and must act within the confines of the law.
Odhiambo questioned Murkomen’s authority to issue what she termed “operational directives” to police officers, saying his comments were illegal and unconstitutional. She stressed that no officer should follow such an order.
“Any unjustified violence, the use of excessive force, or extrajudicial killings based on such unlawful instructions would be treated as deliberate crimes,” she stated firmly.
She added, “We strongly caution the National Police Service against obeying any illegal, unconstitutional, and unauthorized shoot-to-kill directive. The law is clear, and such instructions have no place in a country that upholds the rule of law.”
Murkomen initially gave the shoot-to-kill remarks during a visit to several police stations in Kiambu County that had been damaged during the nationwide protests on Wednesday, June 25.
At the time, the Interior CS told the officers, “If someone storms a police station intending to take over government property, grab a firearm, or threaten your life, don’t hesitate—shoot them.”
Despite the controversy, Murkomen insists his message was aimed at protecting officers in life-threatening situations, not promoting unlawful violence.
Join Gen Z New WhatsApp Channel #JusticeforAlbertOjwang To Stay Updated On time
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
