Interior CS Murkomen Vows Accountability for Police Rights Violations

The government has reiterated its commitment to ending police brutality, with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen saying officers who violate human rights will be held accountable. Murkomen said concerns about police brutality have been increasing, initially emerging in Nairobi before spreading to other parts of the country, prompting closer scrutiny of police conduct. He said the National Police Service has taken steps to address the issue through engagement with senior leadership. “We have engaged the Inspector General of Police and the Deputy Inspectors General to ensure commanders are properly briefed and closely monitor officers who violate the law, including those who shoot citizens or their colleagues,” Murkomen said. The CS said the government remains committed to building a professional security sector that delivers services without corruption and in full respect of human rights as enshrined in the Constitution. Murkomen warned that officers involved in unlawful shootings, harassment or excessive use of force, whether against civilians or fellow officers, will face disciplinary and legal consequences. He emphasised that the government does not condone human rights violations under any circumstances, adding that police accountability remains a key pillar of constitutional governance. While speaking in Kisumu, Murkomen said addressing police brutality forms part of the broader 10-point agenda of the broad-based administration, which prioritises human rights, accountability and professionalism within the security sector. According to the CS, commanders across the country have been directed to closely monitor officers under their supervision and take swift action against those found engaging in misconduct. “It is in our interest as a government to ensure that those who violate the law are punished,” he said. Murkomen also said there is a mental health dimension to some of the recent incidents involving police officers. Referring to lessons drawn from the Jukwala la Usalama forums, he said commanders must ensure that officers suspected of having mental health challenges are not deployed. He added that it is also important to protect officers who may be at risk from colleagues dealing with alcohol addiction or mental health issues. Murkomen said such officers must be removed from active service and referred for medical attention, rehabilitation or counselling, with commanders required to take appropriate action. “Those officers who need medical attention are removed from active service and taken to rehabilitation centres or medical facilities,” he said. He noted that these measures are aimed at preventing a recurrence of incidents in which citizens, including children, are subjected to excessive force by armed police officers. Murkomen assured Kenyans that the Ministry of Interior will continue working closely with the National Police Service leadership to strengthen discipline, professionalism and respect for human rights across the country.