Nairobi, Kenya – A storm of controversy continues to brew across Kenya following Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s recent “shoot to kill” directive, igniting a fierce debate on police conduct, constitutional rights, and the escalating tensions surrounding recent anti-government protests. The directive has drawn widespread condemnation, most notably from seasoned opposition leader Raila Odinga, who has slammed the orders as reckless and a blatant disregard for the sanctity of human life and the rule of law.
The contentious directive emerged amidst a backdrop of often-violent demonstrations, primarily spearheaded by the youthful “Gen Z” demographic, protesting new tax proposals, among other grievances. These protests have, at times, devolved into confrontations with law enforcement, leading to tragic outcomes. Reports from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights indicate a grim toll, with at least 19 lives lost during these tumultuous gatherings. Videos circulating online and subsequent media reports have depicted scenes of police allegedly firing on demonstrators, including children, raising serious questions about the proportionality of force used.
Speaking passionately from Bondo, and later reiterated at a church service, Odinga minced no words in his rebuke of Murkomen’s stance. “The police should never, ever shoot to kill. Police have no license to kill human beings,” Odinga declared, emphasizing that the primary role of law enforcement is to apprehend individuals suspected of committing crimes and present them before a court of law. He underscored the constitutional right to protest peacefully and condemned any instruction to police that encourages unconstitutional killings. “It is shameful for anyone to instruct police to shoot to kill,” he added, directly challenging the government’s approach to maintaining order.
The former Prime Minister did not, however, shy away from condemning the criminal elements that infiltrated some of the protests, leading to acts of vandalism and destruction of public property, including the burning of courts and police stations. Yet, he firmly maintained that such criminal acts do not justify the use of lethal force by the police, advocating instead for due legal process.
In the face of mounting criticism, CS Murkomen has attempted to clarify his controversial remarks. He maintained that his comments were taken out of context and were intended to align with Section B1 of the National Police Service Act. This section, he explained, permits police officers to use firearms in self-defense or to protect others from imminent threats of death or serious bodily injury. This clarification, however, has done little to quell the public outcry or satisfy critics who argue that the general phrasing of a “shoot to kill” order can be misinterpreted and lead to excessive force.
The ongoing crisis has highlighted the deep divisions within the country and the urgent need for a comprehensive resolution. Beyond the immediate issue of police conduct, Odinga has consistently called for a broader national dialogue. He urged both citizens and leaders to engage in meaningful conversations to address the underlying grievances that fuel such widespread discontent and to collectively chart a united path forward for Kenya. The repeated calls for a national convention underscore the belief that only through open communication and consensus-building can the nation heal and move past the current state of unrest. As the debate rages on, all eyes remain on the government’s next steps in de-escalating tensions and ensuring accountability, while balancing the need for security with the fundamental rights of its citizens.
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