Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has strongly dismissed allegations by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that a special police squad has been formed to carry out extrajudicial killings in Kenya.
Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, Murkomen refuted the existence of any such unit under the current administration, terming Gachagua’s remarks as false and unfounded. “There is no known police squad killing people at least not in this administration and none that the Cabinet Secretary is aware of,” he said.
Murkomen emphasized that all police formations in Kenya are mandated to serve and protect citizens, not to harm them. “It would be both unconstitutional and illegal to establish a squad anywhere in Kenya to kill people,” he stated.
His remarks were a direct response to claims made by Gachagua on July 9, where the former DP alleged the formation of a 101-member squad during his time in government. According to Gachagua, the officers were drawn from the Administration Police Service (APS) and underwent specialized training by the National Intelligence Service (NIS), purportedly focused on abductions, killings, and cover-ups.
Gachagua’s claims were made amid growing public outrage over a viral video showing a masked, armed unit in unmarked vehicles allegedly shooting at protesters during demonstrations held on July 7. He accused the government of attempting to disguise this squad as operatives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) by deploying them in Subaru vehicles commonly associated with the DCI.
“This killer squad of 101 was armed with assault rifles and drove in a convoy of unmarked Subarus, shooting and killing innocent protesters aimlessly,” Gachagua alleged. “They are hooded, masked, and are operating against court orders.”
Murkomen, however, rejected these accusations and urged leaders to refrain from making incendiary remarks that could inflame public fear. He reiterated the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of all Kenyans, especially during protests.
As public concern continues to mount over police conduct during recent demonstrations, the government now faces increasing calls for transparency and accountability in law enforcement operations
