Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen is facing heavy backlash after ordering police officers to shoot anyone who approaches police stations during protests.
The order, given on June 26, 2025, has shocked many Kenyans, especially because it followed the killing of at least 16 protesters just a day before.
Instead of calling for peace and accountability, Murkomen told police to use deadly force, a move that has been widely condemned as dangerous, arrogant, and unconstitutional.
One of the strongest voices to speak out against Murkomen’s remarks is a Kenyan bishop who shared a powerful message during a church service.
In a video posted on social media by @KenyanSays, the bishop accused Murkomen of speaking with pride and arrogance, mocking him for wearing “maringos” and being full of himself.
The bishop reminded Murkomen of the sixth commandment from the Bible, “Thou shalt not kill.” He stressed that only God has the right to take life, calling Murkomen’s order not only wrong but also immoral. The message resonated with many Kenyans who feel betrayed by a government that should be protecting them.
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International Kenya, also released strong statements against Murkomen.
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen. Photo credit/file.
Amnesty described his order as reckless and deeply irresponsible, pointing out that over 60 people have been killed by police in the past year during protests.
They also shared shocking cases, like police firing tear gas into people’s homes in Kibera, leading to the deaths of innocent children.
Amnesty demanded that Murkomen apologize and withdraw his statement, warning that such remarks only increase violence and reduce public trust in the police.
Even some police officers have spoken out, saying Murkomen’s words go against their training. According to reports shared on Spice FM, officers say they are trained to use guns only when lives are in immediate danger not for crowd control or to protect buildings.
Several Members of Parliament have also joined the calls for Murkomen to step down. They say he abused his power and is unfit to hold office.
These leaders are urging President William Ruto to take action and remove Murkomen before more lives are lost.
Despite the public outrage, Murkomen tried to explain himself days later, saying that his words were misunderstood. He claimed he was referring to legal uses of force as described in the National Police Service Act.
But his attempt to backtrack has not helped. Many believe he is trying to save face instead of taking real responsibility for the dangerous message he sent to police officers.
This incident has opened up a serious national debate about the use of force by police and the respect for human rights in Kenya.
It has also raised questions about leadership in the Ministry of Interior and whether the government truly values the lives of its citizens.
As of June 30, 2025, anger is still growing, with more Kenyans demanding reforms and the immediate resignation of Murkomen.
His “shoot to kill” remarks have not only caused fear but have also exposed the growing gap between the government and the people it claims to serve.
