Civil Society groups have filed a petition at the High Court seeking the removal of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen from office.
The petition filed by Katiba Institute, Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), and members of the Police Reforms Working Group is demanding an immediate retraction of Murkomen’s comments made on June 26 and 27, 2025.
According to the petition, Murkomen was recorded urging police officers to shoot anyone approaching a police station or posing a threat to the officers. He reportedly promised to protect officers who obeyed these so-called “shoot-to-kill” orders. Civil society groups argue that these remarks amount to incitement to violence, violate lawful use-of-force standards, and fall below the ethical conduct expected of a public officer.
The petition also claims that Murkomen’s statements could encourage the unlawful use of firearms and ignore constitutional safeguards, especially during peaceful protests. The Civil Societies cited a 2022 High Court ruling Katiba Institute & Another v Attorney-General & Another which emphasized that firearms should only be used when strictly necessary and not to protect property when less harmful options exist.
The petitioners further accuse the CS of relying on outdated and unconstitutional legal provisions and argue, saying his behavior disqualifies him from holding public office under Article 10 and Chapter VI of the Constitution.
The civil society groups are urging the court to find Murkomen unfit to serve and to issue a ruling that protects citizens from unlawful state violence.
The lobby groups sought to have the CS held responsible for any individuals who lose their lives or are injured from June 26 2025, at the hands of any police officers, following his orders.
On June 26, the CS directed police officers to shoot anyone approaching a police station or endangering the life of a police officer, promising that the government would protect them.
Following the remarks, the CS received backlash from all ends of the political divide, lawyers and activists, terming the remarks as reckless at a time when arbitrary civilian shootings by police officers are on the rise.
However, Murkomen denied giving any shoot-to-kill orders to the police saying his words were taken out of context. The CS also said there is a law therefore he cannot give orders to the Inspector General of police or the police as that will be against the constitution.
Already there is a petition before the Law Society of Kenya seeking to have Murkomen and Deputy President, Kithure Kindiki, struck from the advocates’ roll.
