Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has revealed a new set of instructions to police officers, days after facing an onslaught of criticism for comments perceived as 'shoot-to-kill' orders.
Murkomen spoke at a Thanksgiving mass at St Augustine Mwanika Catholic Church, Athwana, Tigania West, Meru County, where he weighed in on the anticipated demonstrations on July 7 to commemorate Saba Saba.
According to Murkomen, police are under specific instructions to coexist with civilians on the street and in police stations.
"We have told our police officers that we want police stations to become an area that unites Police and civilians," the CS asserted.
The CS revealed that while he had no issue with Kenyans exercising their democratic right to picket, they needed to do so in a peaceful and orderly fashion, as the government held the power to quell demonstrations if they got out of hand.
He added, "I've also told our police officers to be tame and good with civilians. But when it comes to battling goons and those who want to destroy property while killing officers, I've instructed them to be ruthless to ensure peace prevails. I know you don't want a country where an officer is chased away."
"I urge all people who are calling for protests, whether on Monday or whichever date, you can go picket but do so in peace."
Murkomen also came to the defence of police officers once again as he subtly faulted political figures for allegedly using violence as a political tool.
"All people talk about is what police officers have done or not done. No one talks about those who use violence for politics. It gives police officers a very hard time. I want to ask Kenyans to reject politicians using them for violence," the CS urged.
The CS's sentiments came at the back of a wave of criticism following previous orders urging police to use their firearms in the event they felt threatened by civilians.
Murkomen later clarified his comments, saying they were in line with Section B(1) of the National Police Service Act, which allows officers to use firearms in self-defence
Amid tensions over the planned Saba Saba protests, the government maintains Monday remains a normal working day, with Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku directing all public servants to report to work on Monday, July 7, despite the planned Saba Saba Day protests expected to affect parts of the country.
Ruku further reiterated that all government offices will open at exactly 8am and close at 5pm without exception. He emphasised that normal working hours will be strictly observed, and no excuses related to the protests will be entertained.
