Interior CS denies police violence cautions Judiciary, media on national duty as protests turn deadly
Nairobi – Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has dismissed accusations that he ordered police to shoot youthful protesters during the deadly anti-Finance Bill demonstrations. Speaking at State House Nairobi on Saturday, Murkomen said his public remarks were taken out of context and reaffirmed that law not personal instruction guides police conduct.
“I did not say anywhere that anybody should be shot and killed,” Murkomen stated. “You will find nowhere where I said a police officer should take orders from me.”
The meeting, led by President William Ruto, brought together top regional and national security officials following the June 25 anniversary protest which sought to commemorate the over 60 protestors killed during the 2024 anti-finance bill outside parliament protests, the June 25 protest left in its wake 16 civilians dead and injured more than 300 protestors injured according to official reports. Murkomen cited that the recent protest left more than 300 police officers injured .
Murkomen said the law allows officers to use firearms only under specific circumstances.
“I am not the one who wrote the law,” he said. “The law states that a police officer, when faced with a life-threatening situation, must be able to use their firearm.”
Referencing the National Police Service Act, he clarified that lethal force is allowed only when all lesser options have failed especially to prevent serious injury, protect life, or stop major destruction of property.
The Interior CS voiced frustration over what he called selective outrage from civil society and political leaders.
“When a police officer is attacked or a police station is burned, no church leader will speak. No foreign envoy will speak. The opposition won’t speak,” he said. “If I, the Cabinet Secretary in charge of security, don’t speak, who will?”
Murkomen argued that sustained attacks against law enforcement could unravel national security. He cited the burning of Kikuyu Law Courts as a direct threat to public order. That incident destroyed legal records, title deeds, and critical government documents.
“If the country burns, nobody will be spared. Not the politicians, not a Cabinet Secretary, not a judge, nor a police officer,” he warned.
He called on the Judiciary to evaluate its recent decisions, which he claimed are being used to undermine state authority during volatile moments.
“There is a feeling that the Judiciary is leaving the safety of the country to the Executive, and then they do as they wish,” Murkomen said. “It is time we had a conversation about what is in the national interest.”
Turning to the media, Murkomen accused some outlets of fueling unrest with unverified reports. He warned that the government may intervene if journalists fail to self-regulate.
“If we have to switch off the media to save both the media and the citizens, we will do so,” he said. “But if the media regulates itself, we will not bother.”
He urged greater public respect for police officers, many of whom, he said, work in dangerous regions including along the Somalia border and inside Boni Forest, where they conduct counterterrorism operations.
“Some people don’t understand the risks police officers take to protect the country,” he said.
Murkomen’s comments come amid growing domestic and international scrutiny over police conduct during the protests. Human rights groups have demanded independent investigations into the deaths of unarmed demonstrators.
Despite growing pressure, Murkomen doubled down on defending police actions while placing the burden of national stability on all arms of government, the media, and the public.
