President supports shoot-to-kill order as Murkomen shifts stance after rebuke

President William Ruto has supported remarks by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen authorising police to use lethal force on protesters should they feel threatened.

The President also directed the security chiefs to bring to book all those who perpetrated heinous crimes, including looting, robbery, rape and arson, during riots earlier this week and ensure they are prosecuted.

Addressing regional, county security and National Government Administration bosses at State House Saturday, Ruto affirmed his commitment to stand with security officers.

“I am going to stand for every man and woman in uniform who is doing the duty of securing our families, children and nation. I will be there to make sure that they are not threatened,” said Ruto

He emphasised the need to ensure officers’ safety as they protect families and property.

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“We must ensure that our officers who secure us, our families, our property, are also secure,” observed Ruto.

The president’s remarks come after Murkomen called on police to shoot on sight any aggressors storming police stations with criminal intent.

The remarks by Murkomen were made following a wave of police station attacks during the June 25 nationwide protests, asking police to shoot anyone who approached a police station during protests with criminal intent, leading to massive public criticism.

But on Saturday, Murkomen backtracked on his directive, arguing that he has no authority to direct the Inspector General of Police and that he was just echoing what is provided in the law.

“I cannot order an Inspector General of Police on anything because the Constitution denies me to do so. You will not find me anywhere where I said somebody should be shot to be killed. You will not find me anywhere where I said that a police officer should take orders from myself. No.” Murkomen said while addressing a government security meeting.

Murkomen quoted the National Police Service Act verbatim, highlighting sections that permit the use of firearms in extreme situations such as self-defense, protection of property and prevention of escape by suspects charged with felonies.

“The law says a police officer, when faced with a situation of a threat to his life, must be able to use the firearm,” he said, quoting Section 61(2) and Schedule 6B(1) of the Act.

However, when he took the stage and it was his turn to speak, President Ruto committed to stand with security officers emphasising the need to ensure officers’ safety as they protect families and property.

“We must ensure that our officers who secure us, our families, our property, are also secure,” observed Ruto.