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Junet condemns Nelson Koech’s shoot‑to‑kill statements
11th July, 2025 10:50 PM
National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed has condemned Belgut Member of Parliament (MP) Nelson Koech after calling for police to be given the authority to shoot and kill individuals involved in violent protests, particularly those who attack protected government institutions or endanger lives and property.
Speaking in Migori County on Friday, July 11, 2025, during MP Peter Masara’s son’s burial ceremony, Junet firmly rejected such directives, stating that while he does not want Kenyans to be killed, those causing chaos and destroying public property during protests must face consequences.
According to him, offenders should be arrested, prosecuted in court, and jailed for many years to teach them discipline and curb disorder.
“Nimesikia mbunge mwanzangu akisema ati polisi wafanye kitu inaitwa shoot to kill hiyo tunapinga kabisa hatutaki watu wetu wauliwe lakini wale watu pia wanaleta fujo wanaleta distruction, wanaharibu mali ya wananchi lazima polisi wawachukulie hatua, washikwe wapelekwe kortini na wafungwe jela miaka mingi ili wa shike adabu,”Junet said.
“Mtu hawezi kuvamia police station , kuvamia mali ya mwengine na kuchafua nchi.”
Koech’s remarks
This comes after Koech called for a tougher police response as national leaders grapple with mounting unrest and calls for economic and political reforms
Speaking at an event on Thursday, July 10, 2025, amid rising tensions and continued anti-government demonstrations in various parts of the country, Koech defended the use of lethal force against what he described as criminal elements hiding behind the guise of protest.
“You cannot have someone coming after your life, and you do not want to shoot and kill. You cannot have someone who is going to endanger you and your family. And you are telling me you cannot shoot and kill,” Koech said.
The Defence Committee chairperson maintained that the Constitution and the Police Act already empower law enforcement to use firearms when their lives are threatened. He insisted that the current wave of violence demands a firmer response.
“The police have the power to use their arms when they have evaluated the risk of their lives are in danger,” he noted.
“These people cannot be terrorising others. Anyone who has to go to a protected area like the State House is not an ordinary person. That is a criminal, that is an armed person that must be dealt with using equal force, and the only force that applies to such people is to shoot and kill.”
