Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has come out strongly in defense of Kenyan police officers accused of excessive force during recent nationwide protests. Speaking in Kajiado County, Murkomen dismissed threats from the International Criminal Court (ICC) as attempts to intimidate the country’s law enforcement agencies.
“I will not be scared by ICC threats. Scare somebody else not those who understand the law,” said the CS. He stressed that the Ministry of Interior would continue to stand by officers who acted within the confines of the law to protect Kenyans and preserve national stability.
Murkomen, alongside Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and DCI Director Mohammed Amin, is among the top security officials facing a court petition over their handling of the protests. The CS maintained that all actions taken by the police were lawful and necessary to prevent chaos and destruction.
“The Inspector General of Police, my team, and I have worked diligently to protect the people of Kenya, their property, and the state from anarchy and terrorism, all within the confines of the Constitution,” he stated.
The protests, sparked by opposition to proposed government policies, escalated into widespread unrest in some areas. Murkomen criticized the failure to hold violent demonstrators accountable, highlighting incidents such as the torching of police stations, government vehicles, and administrative offices. He specifically cited the burning of suspects in custody in Ol Kalou as evidence of protestor brutality.
Labeling attempts to prosecute officers as “experimental and dangerous,” Murkomen argued that security agencies should not be sacrificed for performing their constitutional duties. “We don’t have time for experiments on who should be taken to court. We know the law and we’ll stand by it,” he asserted.
The Interior CS pledged continued protection of Kenya’s constitutional order, vowing not to let what he termed “anarchists hiding behind international legal threats” destabilize the country.
His remarks come amid growing debate over the accountability of security agencies during the recent unrest and increasing scrutiny from international and human rights organizations.
