Murkomen denies existence of police death squad amid claims of extrajudicial killings during protests

The government has denied the existence of any police squad involved in extrajudicial killings, insisting that no such unit operates under President William Ruto’s administration.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen emphasised that all police operations are conducted per the law.

His statement comes in response to claims by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who alleged that a specialised 101-member squad trained in abductions and killings is behind recent protest-related deaths.

“In the event any police officer is accused of unlawful use of force, they will face the law. As I speak, one police officer has already been arraigned and is facing murder charges. Further, any excesses by law enforcement officers will be investigated and appropriate action taken on those found culpable,” Murkomen said.

He announced plans to issue a formal policy directive on the use of force and firearms by police officers this Friday, citing national concern over police conduct during recent anti-government protests.

“Cognisant of the raging debate and national concerns on the use of force by security personnel, I will this Friday, pursuant to Article 245 (4) of the Constitution, be issuing a policy directive to the Inspector General of Police on the use of force and firearms by law enforcement officers,” he said.

'Premeditated criminality'

Murkomen described the recent protests, particularly those on June 25 and July 7, as acts of “premeditated criminality” aimed at destabilising the country.

“What was witnessed on the 25th of June and 7th of July was a stark testament to the extent to which the sponsors of this anarchy are ready to go to subvert the Constitution. This was not a protest. It was pure, premeditated criminality: deliberate, dangerous and deeply disturbing,” he said.

While affirming the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, Murkomen condemned acts of looting, attacks on ambulances, vandalism, and the burning of government buildings. He warned that those responsible will face the full force of the law.

“Invasion of hospitals, rape, attack on ambulances, looting of businesses, forcible entry of protected areas, vandalism, erection of illegal roadblocks, and torching of government installations, including police stations and administrative offices, are vile crimes and must be treated as such. We cannot, as a Government and as a Nation, normalise the senseless loss of lives and livelihoods, and the threat to peace and stability,” Murkomen said.

He accused unnamed political sponsors and financiers of masterminding the unrest.

“Those who incited, organised, funded, or executed these attacks will face the full force of the law. The financiers and political sponsors of this mayhem are being investigated and will soon answer for their crimes,” he warned.

“To the financiers, organisers and executors, take note… This reign of terror against the people of Kenya and the impunity of criminal gangs must come to an end at whatever cost.”

Reject violence

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Murkomen urged Kenyans to reject violence and use constitutional channels to air grievances.

Gachagua claimed that the unit, which he said was formed during his time in government, consisted of officers from the Administration Police Service (APS) and was trained by the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

“This squad of 101 people was formed when I was still in government. The officers were recruited from the Administration police unit for special training by NIS on abductions, killings and cover-up,” Gachagua said.

He further alleged that the squad operates under the direct command of NIS Director-General Noordin Haji.

“A killer squad of 101 that works under the Director-General of the National Intelligence Service, Noordin Haji was armed with assault rifles and drove in a convoy of unmarked Subarus, shooting and killing innocent protesters aimlessly,” he said.

He claimed the unit uses unmarked Subaru vehicles to mimic Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) operations and disguise their identity.

“I want to clarify that the NIS has procured Subarus to give the impression that this killer gang is from DCI. The truth of the matter is this has nothing to do with DCI,” he said.

The former Deputy President linked the squad to the masked, armed group seen in viral videos from the July 7 protests. The footage showed heavily armed individuals, their faces covered, moving in unmarked Subarus during operations in Nairobi and Kajiado counties.

In Ngong Town and Kiserian, the group was captured on video firing live rounds, leaving bodies behind. Other clips showed their military-style operations across several towns, including Kangemi, Kitengela, Kamukunji, and Jogoo Road.

Eyewitnesses reported that the group made little effort to arrest suspects, instead using excessive force.

In many cases, individuals were violently subdued and forced into vehicles.

Observers have drawn comparisons between this unit and past rapid response teams previously accused of unlawful killings during the 2024 protests.