Murkomen makes u-turn, says police officers to only use force as directed by law

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has urged police officers to use force strictly in accordance with the law.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony of 127 officers from the Border Police Unit Special Role Course No. 1/2025 at their training campus in Kanyonyo, Kitui County, the CS clarified his Thursday remarks, saying they had been misinterpreted.

He emphasised that his comments were not intended to suggest that police officers are at liberty to use firearms irresponsibly.

“When we call on police officers to use firearms to protect themselves or civilians, we do not mean carelessly. We are simply defending officers whose lives are in danger but are being cautioned against using their arms for fear of prosecution,” Murkomen explained.

In a notable shift in tone from the previous day, Murkomen stressed that police officers are members of the communities they serve and should co-exist with citizens in mutual respect to safeguard national security.

“I want to remind Kenyans that police officers are part of our communities, and we must help each other to keep the country safe. The recent acts of torching police stations are unprecedented. I appeal to citizens and politicians alike, do not politicise national security,” he urged.

Murkomen said that attacking institutions designed to serve the public was an attack on the very principles that hold the country together.

“I urge our police officers, wherever they may be, to make every effort to work closely with local communities, build strong relationships, and rely not only on the power of firearms but also on diplomacy to promote peace,” he added.

At the same time, Murkomen reminded officers of the provisions of the National Police Service Act regarding the lawful use of force.

“In those few instances where your life or the life of a citizen is in danger, you are permitted to use force. But in all other cases, we ask officers to develop and apply diplomatic skills that will enable better working relationships,” he said.

He noted that improving relations between the police and the public will involve strengthening community policing initiatives.

“We don’t want to see a repeat of the incidents witnessed in parts of the country where communities set fire to their own police stations. If we want to live in a safe and secure country, we must also protect the lives of our police officers,” the CS said.

The course undertaken by the graduating officers is tailored to meet the demands of modern border security, covering a wide range of tactical and strategic skills including ambush and anti-ambush operations, counter-IED tactics, patrol formations, forensic procedures, threat assessment, and terrain analysis.

“The dynamic nature of our security landscape requires constant adaptation. I commend the National Police Service for continuously updating its curriculum to reflect both local threats and global best practices,” Murkomen told the graduating officers.

He concluded by urging the new officers to uphold professionalism and exercise wisdom in the field.

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“As you report to your various postings, remember that your role is to safeguard our borders and win the trust of the communities you serve. Diplomacy is not weakness—it is strength. Build relationships, not barriers,” he advised.