Interior CS MURKOMEN’s woes pile as petition is filed to impeach him over ‘shoot-to-kill directive to police



Wednesday, July 2, 2025 - A coalition of civil society groups has filed a petition at the High Court seeking the removal of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen from office over the controversial "shoot-to-kill" remarks made during the June 2025 anti-Government protests.

The petition, filed on July 2nd by the Katiba Institute, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), and other organisations, argues that Murkomen is unfit to hold public office due to unethical conduct and incitement to violence.

"The petition alleges that these comments constitute incitement to violence and unlawful acts, and amount to unacceptable ethical conduct required of a public officer,” the petitioners said in a joint statement.

The petition cites a 2022 High Court ruling that discouraged the use of firearms to protect property during peaceful protests.

It further argues that Murkomen’s remarks violate Article 33 on incitement, as well as Articles 10 and Chapter VI of the Constitution on leadership and integrity.

The petition also seeks to hold the CS accountable for any deaths or injuries inflicted by police officers from June 26th onward, as a result of his public directive.

On that date, Murkomen instructed police to shoot anyone threatening a station or officers, promising Government protection for such actions.

The remarks triggered widespread condemnation from legal experts, political leaders, and human rights activists, who labelled the directive reckless.

Murkomen later claimed his comments were taken out of context, clarifying that he meant officers should act only in self-defence or to protect others.

This comes after a Kenyan citizen petitioned the Law Society of Kenya on June 30th to strike Murkomen and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki from the advocates' roll, citing violations of constitutional and ethical obligations.

The Kenyan DAILY POST

Post a Comment

0 Comments