Murkomen Issues New Directive on Police Use of Force During Protests

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a new directive to police officers, urging restraint in the use of force and firearms, especially during public protests. The directive, Policy No.1 of 2025, comes amid rising concerns over police brutality during recent demonstrations.

Speaking during a security briefing, Murkomen emphasized that force or firearms should only be used as a last resort and strictly in self-defence or defence of others facing an imminent threat of death or serious injury. He reiterated that law enforcement must first attempt non-violent means before resorting to force.

“All use of force must be lawful, reasonable, and proportionate to the threat,” Murkomen stated. He clarified that officers can only discharge firearms when there is a genuine and immediate threat to life, and no alternative method is available to neutralize the danger.

He outlined conditions to guide police when force becomes unavoidable: actions must be proportionate to the seriousness of the offence, minimize harm, preserve life, and ensure medical assistance to the injured. Additionally, officers must notify the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) promptly.

Murkomen also prohibited the use of force as extrajudicial punishment and stressed that once a suspect is lawfully detained, no further force is permissible.

In a broader reform push, Murkomen ordered the National Police Service to revise its training manuals and operational procedures in light of recent protest incidents. He also called for a culture of accountability within the force.

These instructions follow President William Ruto’s controversial “shoot-to-the-leg” order against violent demonstrators and Murkomen’s earlier “shoot-to-kill” directive targeting individuals storming police stations—both of which have triggered significant public backlash.