Opposition leader Raila Odinga has strongly criticised Ineterior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen over remarks perceived to support the use of lethal force against protesters during the June 25 demonstrations in Nairobi.
Speaking on Sunday at ACK St Peter’s Parish in Bondo, Siaya County, Raila condemned the use of excessive force by police officers, warning that extra-judicial killings are unconstitutional and unacceptable. He said that although acts of violence and destruction witnessed during the protests should be condemned, law enforcement must operate within the bounds of the law.
“We have witnessed a lot of bloodshed recently. Children who went out to demonstrate, some of them died – some of them shot by the police,” said the former Prime Minister.
Raila reiterated that police officers do not have the legal mandate to execute individuals suspected of wrongdoing. “The police should never ever shoot to kill. Police have no licence to kill human beings. If somebody has committed a crime, arrest that person and take them before a court of law,” he added.
His comments were in reaction to remarks attributed to Murkomen suggesting police could use lethal force to protect public infrastructure. “Anybody giving instructions to a police officer that if anybody comes close to a police station, shoot them, it’s a shame. Shame on you,” Raila said.
The remarks come amid a damning report by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), which revealed that 19 people died, 531 were injured, and 15 went missing during the Gen Z-led protests.
Murkomen has since denied issuing any shoot-to-kill directive, clarifying during a security meeting at State House that he merely cited existing laws and does not have constitutional authority to instruct police officers.
“I cannot order an Inspector General of Police on anything because the Constitution does not allow me to do so,” Murkomen explained.
Despite Murkomen’s clarification, Raila insisted that state agencies must be held accountable for the excessive force, even as he condoled with bereaved families. “We condole with those who have lost loved ones, but we also condemn the criminals who destroyed property,” he concluded.
