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Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has come out to defend his now-infamous “shoot on sight” remarks made in the heat of Kenya’s recent anti-government protests. The statement, which sparked instant backlash, was made on June 26 following violent clashes that saw police stations attacked and security officers injured. Murkomen had asserted that police officers were to shoot anyone who approached a police station in a threatening manner.
His words, captured live and repeated widely online, were interpreted by many as a green light for the use of lethal force on civilians. “Na tumeambia polisi mtu yeyote atakaribia police station piga yeye risasi,” he said, triggering a firestorm from rights groups, lawyers, and political analysts who saw the remarks as a dangerous escalation.
In a bid to contain the fallout, Murkomen issued a lengthy clarification on June 29. He asserted that his comments were not a directive but a restatement of existing legal provisions found in the National Police Service Act. Specifically, he referenced the Sixth Schedule, which allows police officers to use firearms to protect lives, property, or for self-defense.
“My statement was made contextually and consciously with clarity of mind based on the express provisions of the law,” he emphasized. “At my age, position, and experience, I cannot utter statements that are not supported by the Constitution and the law.”
Murkomen further clarified that he lacks the authority to command the Police Inspector General or the National Police Service to act outside their constitutional mandate. He dismissed claims that he issued a “shoot to kill” order, insisting that what he gave was a summary of the law’s allowances under critical circumstances.
The remarks come during a tense standoff between the government and a new wave of youthful protesters, primarily Gen Z citizens, who have organized mass demonstrations over governance issues, cost of living, and police brutality. The protests turned violent in multiple locations, with police stations torched, weapons stolen, and several casualties reported—including both civilians and law enforcement officers.
Murkomen painted a grim picture of the extent of lawlessness during the unrest, stating that rioters had committed serious crimes, including arson and the killing of suspects. He stressed that under such conditions, police officers have the right—enshrined in law—to defend themselves and their stations.
“Our police officers cannot be left helpless,” he stated, justifying the need for them to use their firearms when attacked or when lives and public property are in danger.
Despite Murkomen’s efforts to distance himself from direct responsibility, critics—particularly the Law Society of Kenya—have lambasted the statement. Legal experts have warned that such rhetoric from a top government official can create fertile ground for extrajudicial killings and abuse of power. The society labeled the remarks as “reckless,” urging the government to tread carefully in its messaging.
Others viewed the clarification as an attempt to walk back from a verbal misstep rather than take responsibility for the chilling effect his words may have had.
Murkomen challenged those criticizing him to cite the specific law he had breached. “Those saying I issued an order should show where the order is. A mere restatement of the law cannot amount to giving an order,” he stated.
As Kenya navigates a volatile political and security environment, the Interior Ministry’s rhetoric is under heightened scrutiny. The Gen Z movement has proven more organized and emboldened than previous waves of unrest, leaving government officials walking a tightrope between enforcement and overreach.
Murkomen’s comments—regardless of legal justification—highlight the escalating tension between state power and public dissent. Whether his clarification will quell the backlash or further stoke civil society anger remains to be seen.
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