Murkomen on 'shoot-to kill': I cannot order the IG or NPS on anything

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen speaking during a high-level security meeting convened by President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi on June 28, 2025. /PCS

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has denied reports that he issued a “shoot-to-kill” directive to the police during this week’s deadly protests.

The CS insisted that he has no legal authority to command the Inspector General of Police or any officer in the National Police Service.

Speaking on Saturday during a high-level security meeting convened by President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi, Murkomen clarified his role, stressing that the constitution bars him from giving operational instructions to the police.

“I am saying this with all humility. I cannot order an Inspector General of Police on anything because the Constitution does not allow me to do so,” said Murkomen.

The meeting was attended by key security figures, including Principal Secretary for Internal Security Dr. Raymond Omollo, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, his deputies, and Director of Criminal Investigations Mohammed Amin.

It came in the wake of Wednesday’s violent demonstrations, which left at least 19 people dead and 531 others injured, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).

Responding to criticism over his public remarks he made on Thursday while inspecting protest aftermath in Nairobi CBD, Murkomen explained that he had merely cited the law regarding use of firearms — not issued commands.

“What I did was to state the law. As a lawyer, I have read, studied, and understood these laws,” he said.

“You will not find me anywhere saying somebody should be shot to be killed. You will not find me anywhere saying a police officer should take orders from me.”

While addressing the public in Kitui on Friday, Murkomen emphasised that police officers are bound by the National Police Service Act of 2011, which allows the use of firearms only under specific conditions — such as when an officer's life is in danger, when protecting civilians, or preventing the escape of a dangerous felon.

“All police officers understand how to use a firearm. It is clearly provided for in the law. No officer is untrained on this,” he stated.

However, Murkomen’s comments have drawn sharp criticism from the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), which issued a strongly worded statement condemning what it described as an unconstitutional directive to police officers.

“The directive is ultra vires, illegal, and unconstitutional,” said LSK President Faith Odhiambo in a statement released Friday.

She cautioned police officers against acting on such instructions, warning that any officer who engages in unlawful killings would be held individually accountable.

“Any officer found to be engaging in such criminal conduct will be prosecuted in their individual capacity.”