Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has vowed to protect police officers amid growing scrutiny and public backlash, particularly following the killing of five civilians in Angata Barrikoi, Narok County, earlier this week.
While addressing officers during the Eastern and Rift Valley security meeting in Isiolo on Wednesday, April 30, the CS sought to quell tensions amid concerns in the police force on stigmatisation.
Murkomen was adamant that he was aware of some situations where law enforcement personnel are forced to defend themselves, particularly when their lives are in danger.
“I have come to tell you here that we will support our police officers. We will not be unfair to a police officer who was in a situation where his life was in danger and tried to protect himself," he said.
In a bid to ensure more police protection, Murkomen revealed there were plans to 'sensitise members of the public and leaders to respect police work and collaborate with them'.
At the same time, the CS also warned rogue officers, saying there was a thin line between lawful conduct and blatant abuse of an officer's law enforcement mandate.
He added, “At the same time, we will not protect a rogue officer who went out of his way to hurt civilians.”
Focus has been on the Interior CS in recent days, particularly after the latest incident of civilians versus police officers, which saw five people lose their lives on Monday.
While Murkomen assured the public that investigations would be undertaken and the responsible officers brought to book, this has not stopped human rights groups from applying pressure on the police force.
On Tuesday, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) urged the Inspector General of Police to interdict all General Service Unit (GSU) and Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) officers involved in Monday's shooting incident.
Incidentally, more pressure was piled on law enforcement after a harrowing documentary was released by the BBC, detailing how some protestors from the now infamous Gen-Z protests lost their lives.
The documentary, which featured interviews with vocal Kenyans during the protests, analysed thousands of images and videos, identifying a Kenya Defence Forces officer and another National Police Service officer causing shooting at the peaceful protestors.
