Over 600 police officers killed in line of duty in 10 years, Interior CS Murkomen reveals
Murkomen expressed condolences to the families of fallen officers, saying their service and sacrifice have not been in vain.
Over 600 police officers have been killed while on duty over the past 10 years, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has revealed, attributing the deaths to criminal confrontations, law enforcement operations and management of public protests.
Speaking on Monday during a press briefing, Murkomen expressed condolences to the families of fallen officers, saying their service and sacrifice have not been in vain.
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“We condole with the families of those officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty,” he said.
He described the officers as gallant, selfless, and dedicated and credited them with the peace and national growth the country enjoys today.
“The strength and sustained growth of our nation would not have been possible without our gallant security officers' brave, selfless and dedicated service. Their commitment and sacrifice have been instrumental in ensuring the safety and stability we enjoy today,” he said.
He noted that the government is accelerating reforms to address longstanding institutional weaknesses and enhance the safety and effectiveness of officers.
Citing Article 244 of the Constitution, Murkomen said the National Police Service is constitutionally obligated to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and discipline, train its officers to the highest levels of competence and integrity and respect human rights, fundamental freedoms and human dignity.
“These officers have shown commendable commitment to their professional duty, and we have seen tremendous improvement in policing because of the ongoing reforms,” he said during a press briefing on Monday.
“We therefore applaud the personnel who have committed themselves to the constitutional obligation of ensuring the highest standards of professionalism and discipline.”
Despite the progress, Murkomen acknowledged persistent challenges that continue to hinder fthe ull realisation of constitutional ideals on policing.
He said the challenges compel the country to relentlessly strive for legal, institutional and constitutional reforms aimed at enhancing the quality and effectiveness of police service.
He pointed to the Kriegler Report as a foundational blueprint for police reform but noted that many of its key recommendations remain unfulfilled due to operational and structural setbacks.
“Unfortunately, despite these well-intentioned frameworks and constitutional backing, meaningful reforms have stalled. Key challenges such as the limited operational independence, inadequate resourcing, and increasing cases of police brutality and impunity have reversed much of the initial gain,” Murkomen said.
He added that public demand for an accountable and rights-respecting police service continues to grow, making it urgent for the government to implement deep-rooted reforms.
“As such, the promises and ideals of the Krigler Report remain largely unfulfilled, even as public demand for a reformed, accountable, and rights-respecting Police Service continues to intensify,” he said.
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