Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced that new guidelines on the use of force and firearms by police will be published in the Kenya Gazette on Friday. This move follows public uproar over the conduct of law enforcement during recent nationwide protests that resulted in numerous fatalities and injuries.
Speaking on Tuesday, Murkomen said the directive aligns with Article 245(4) of the Constitution and will serve as a policy framework for the Inspector General of Police to guide officers in lawful and proportionate use of force.
“Cognisant of the ongoing debate and national concerns on the use of force by security personnel, I will issue a policy directive to the Inspector General of Police on Friday,” he stated.
The directive comes after demonstrations on June 25 and July 7 left 42 people dead and nearly 600 injured 496 of them police officers. Murkomen called the deaths unacceptable, adding, “One life lost is one too many. We mourn every life lost and extend our deepest sympathies to the affected families.”
He warned that any officer accused of unlawful force will be held accountable, with investigations and legal consequences to follow. He also expressed concern over the destruction of 16 police stations and posts, terming it a dangerous development that threatens public safety.
“When a police station is destroyed, it leaves communities vulnerable,” he said.
Murkomen noted that around 1,500 people have been arrested in connection with the unrest, facing charges ranging from arson and robbery with violence to damaging critical infrastructure. Serious Crimes and Anti-Terrorism Police Units are handling over 120 cases.
The CS cited troubling incidents in Nakuru, Eldoret, and Kitengela, where businesses and hospitals were attacked. He condemned the release on bail of two suspects involved in vandalising Kitengela Sub-County Hospital, calling it “unacceptable.”
He lauded security agencies for averting further attacks through intelligence-led operations and urged citizens to seek justice through legal means. “We cannot normalise the loss of lives and livelihoods,” Murkomen emphasized. “This reign of terror and impunity must end.”
