Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has defended the government’s position on police headgear use, insisting that helmets are a standard part of police uniforms worldwide and not a means of concealing identity unlawfully.
Speaking in the National Assembly on Wednesday during a debate on national security and the fight against drug and substance abuse, Murkomen addressed criticism and a recent court ruling over the alleged deployment of masked police officers to quell riots.
“Most police officers around the world wear uniforms, and their uniform is the helmet,” Murkomen said. “The helmet conceals a police officer more than a mask. So, if a court orders that all police officers should wear uniforms, then it’s clear that when they wear the helmet, they are wearing their uniform.”
His remarks come amid concerns from some legislators that police should avoid wearing headgear or masks during crowd control operations to allow easier identification in cases of alleged misconduct or extrajudicial actions.
Murkomen clarified that plainclothes officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are regularly deployed during demonstrations to collect evidence in real time, in line with the National Police Service Act and police standing orders.
“All deployments, at least during my tenure, have been done in accordance with police standing orders, with nothing breaching the law,” he said.
The CS also dismissed claims that the National Police Service operates with political bias. This followed an assertion by Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji, who alleged his arrest during the Saba Saba protests in Embu was politically motivated.
“I’m sure Hon Mukunji understands that I am not the judge, and he can prosecute his case either here in Parliament or in court,” Murkomen responded, cautioning that discussing such matters outside court could amount to contempt.
He stressed that neither the Inspector General nor the DCI is a political actor, adding that the police service is not a political party and has no political scores to settle.
“The National Police Service does not arrest anyone for political reasons. Our officers act independently to protect Kenyans, in full compliance with the constitution,” Murkomen said.
The debate underscores the ongoing tensions between law enforcement practices and public demands for greater transparency during protests.
