Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has responded to criticism by his university law professor, Kivutha Kibwana, over the remarks he made encouraging police officers not to shy away from defending themselves.
Taking to social media, Murkomen reiterated his claim that his words were taken out of context and that he would never make such a claim.
Speaking to the professor directly, Murkomen claimed that his teachings at the University of Nairobi still rang true and his remarks merely followed the National Police Service Act B (1) that gives police officers the autonomy to use their weapons to defend themselves, property or civilians against threats of death or serious injury.
"My good teacher and friend, where did I issue a 'shoot-live to murder' command? Having been your good student, I know better than to make unfounded statements," he claimed.
"I merely restated the law that you participated in its formulation. As you may recall, the sixth schedule of the National Police Service Act in Paragraph B (1) provides the Conditions for use of a firearm, which include the protection of the life of officers or civilians; protection of property; and self-defence against threats of death or serious injury, among others."
The CS concluded his response by inviting Kibwana to continue the conversation and interpretation of the provisions in a more private setting.
Professor Kibwana had earlier in the day warned Murkomen that his remarks would make him liable for any extrajudicial killings in the future.
"Do you know that due to your shoot-to-live murder command, you will now and in the future be held accountable for every extrajudicial extermination, Officer of the Court? How was I your teacher at UoN, Law?"
While speaking on June 27, Murkomen instructed police officers to shoot individuals who pose a direct threat to officers or attack police stations.
“Tumeambia polisi, mtu yeyote ambaye atakaribia police station, piga yeye risasi (We have directed the police that anyone who dares approach a police station with criminal intent, shoot them),” he stated.
These claims have since elicited angry reactions from Kenyans, who took them to mean that he was giving police officers a pass to shoot and kill without question.
In his address, the CS claimed that the recent leniency of police officers towards criminals had emboldened them, saying, “they get released on small bond, return to fight police, and even mock them. This must come to an end."
He has since gone on a campaign to retract his words, claiming that they had been taken out of context.
