Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has refuted claims that Police Constable Hiram Kimathi was transferred from Kyumbi Police Station, near Machakos Junction to Todonyang, a remote outpost in Turkana County, as a result of his public criticism of recent “shoot to kill” directives issued by senior government officials.
Speaking in Turkana during the Jukwaa la Usalama forum, Murkomen stated that the officer was transferred due to his competence, not as a form of punishment.
”Yule polisi mliona alitumwa Todonyang’ IG aliona ako na bidii sana, lakini sasa akajiangusha yeye mwenyewe akasema siwezi kuingia Todonyang’ kwa sababu ni mwisho wa dunia na anaogopa, tulifikiria kwamba atakuja kusaidia wananchi kusonga mbele,” Murkomen said.
According to the CS every police officer has a legal duty to work anywhere in the country.
”Hakuna sehemu ya Kenya ambayo polisi hataenda, Polisi wote wa Kenya lazima wafanye kazi kila mahali, na hatutaki kuleta mtu ati ni discipline,” the CS said adding police officers are transferred based on their capabilities, ”ukiona IG ametuma mtu (polisi) mahali, ni kuhakikisha kuwa aende afanye kazi.” he said.
Murkomen said it is the government’s duty to ensure that all officers respect every part of the country and serve all regions equally.
”Pengine wengine wamezoea kukaa kwa social mesia na akikuja mahali kama hapa (Turkana) anaona atakuja kufanya kazi,” he stated.
Speaking after his transfer Constable Hiram said he believed the move was not a routine transfer, but a form of punishment for speaking out against controversial orders from top-ranking officials, including President William Ruto and Murkomen, instructing officers to use lethal force on suspected criminals.
The transfer came after Hiram went viral on TikTok criticising CS Murkomen’s order to the police to shoot protesters.
Todonyang Police Station is located in the north-eastern part of Lodwar and is considered a high-risk area, marked by frequent cross-border raids, poor infrastructure, and limited transport access.
Hiram who refused the transfer said he did not intend to report to Todonyang saying the transfer was meant to teach him a lesson.
“This is not a transfer. It is a warning shot to every officer with a conscience. Speak out against the state, and you’ll be buried in isolation,” he said.
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