Murkomen outlines police use of force and firearms

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen addresses the press on June 26, 2025 at Harambee House, Nairobi. [Edward Kiplimo,Standard] Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a policy directive meant to guide police officers on the use of force and firearms after public outcry over police brutality, especially during protests. This comes after 42 people were killed during the Saba Saba protests on July 7 alone. In the policy directive number one of 2025, the first since Murkomen's appointment to the role, police officers are required to adhere to the law, police standing orders, and existing policy guidelines. "I have issued a policy directive on the use of force and firearms pursuant to Article 245(4) of the Constitution, the National Police Service (NPS) Act and the court decisions to the Inspector General of Police," said Murkomen. "I have dispatched the policy to the IG detailing the recommendations to use force factoring in the prevailing legal framework and court decisions." Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen issues policy directive on police use of force and firearms pic.twitter.com/oansYywTkd - The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) July 18, 2025 According to the order, bullets will only be launched when necessary and where non-violent means have failed, to save officers or other people from death or serious injury. Furthermore, law enforcement officers have been barred from using force to execute extrajudicial punishment or when they have safely detained a suspect. Use of force and firearms has been permitted where the lives of officers or others are in danger or they face serious injury The police will be required to embrace non-violent means, only resorting to the use of their firearms as a last option. Where force is unavoidable, the police have been advised to use force that is proportionate to the offence, minimise damage and injury, and avoid killing. When shots are fired, the victim must be accorded medical attention and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) notified promptly. Minimum force has also been recommended when dispersing unlawful protests to restore public order. Meanwhile, officers facing charges of misuse of their arms will be granted legal representation to be organised by the Attorney General. In a letter to the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, CS Murkomen ordered the guidelines to be cascaded down to the junior officers to ensure compliance. "Kindly ensure that the National Police Service is informed on the inception of the policy," reads part of Murkomen's letter.

Murkomen outlines police use of force and firearms

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Murkomen outlines police use of force and firearms

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