A section of Members of Parliament allied to the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) has launched an aggressive push to impeach Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen following his controversial “shoot to kill” directive issued during recent national protests.
Spearheading the campaign is Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji, who made the announcement during a prayer and fundraising event for Akurino faithful at Embu University grounds on Saturday. Mukunji accused CS Murkomen of endorsing extra-judicial killings and promoting a culture of state-sanctioned violence.
“This Parliament must stand firm,” Mukunji declared. “The Interior Cabinet Secretary has overstepped his mandate by issuing unconstitutional directives that endanger lives. We cannot sit back and watch.” He further alleged that enforced disappearances and deadly crackdowns have become common under the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Despite acknowledging the dominance of the executive in Parliament, Mukunji said the motion is a necessary step toward protecting Kenyan lives. “Let’s be honest, Parliament has largely been captured. But we must try,” he added.
Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia backed the impeachment calls, stating that Murkomen acted beyond his legal limits. “The CS has no authority to order police to shoot and kill. Such orders violate the Constitution and must be condemned,” Kaguchia said.
The MPs further claimed that the violence witnessed during the June 25 protests was state-orchestrated to portray the youth as criminals and justify a brutal crackdown.
CS Murkomen sparked public outrage last week after he told police officers to shoot anyone attempting to attack or loot police stations. “Mtu yeyote atakaribia police station piga yeye risasi… Mtu mwenye anaenda kuiba bunduki, abembelezwe?” he said, adding, “Bunduki sio mandazi!”
Even former Deputy President and DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua distanced himself from Murkomen’s remarks, describing the CS as “a young, excited CS full of himself because of money and power.” Gachagua warned that such reckless pronouncements could lead to unnecessary loss of life and legal trouble for officers following unlawful orders.
The impeachment motion, while ambitious, highlights rising tensions within the ruling coalition and growing unease over the government’s handling of public dissent.
