LSK warns police after Murkomen’s shoot-to-kill order
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has vehemently condemned Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s recent directive ordering police to shoot individuals who pose a threat to officers or attack police stations.
The legal body described the directive as ultra vires, illegal and unconstitutional, cautioning law enforcement against acting on such orders.
In a statement released on Friday, June 27, 2025, LSK President Faith Odhiambo underscored that the police have no legal mandate to follow instructions that violate constitutional safeguards.
She also pointed out that Murkomen himself has distanced his office from any role in commanding such drastic police action.
“We note that the Cabinet Secretary has no authority under the law to issue such an order,” Odhiambo stated firmly.
“Murkomen is on record in the National Assembly Hansard, distancing himself and his office from any involvement in issuing orders to the Inspector General and the National Police Service.”
Odhiambo emphasised the inviolability of the right to life, as enshrined in Kenya’s Constitution, noting it can only be limited under specific and clearly defined circumstances as provided by law.
She warned that any use of excessive force or extrajudicial killings carried out under the guise of complying with Murkomen’s directive would be regarded as serious criminal acts.
“Any unjustified act of aggression, disproportionate use of force, and extrajudicial killing that is done under the guise of fulfilling this order will be deemed as a deliberate, premeditated crime,” she added.
The LSK president further urged Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to step in and ensure that officers uphold their constitutional duties and do not act on unlawful directives, even if assurances of immunity from prosecution are offered.
“Any officer found to be engaging in such criminal conduct will be prosecuted in their capacity, and the blame, to the extent of which command responsibility can be discerned, will fall at the feet of the Inspector General,” Odhiambo warned.
Murkomen’s controversy
The controversy erupted Thursday, June 26, 2025, when Murkomen publicly issued the “shoot-to-kill” order, saying, “We have directed the police that anyone who dares approach a police station with criminal intent, shoot them.”
This directive was reportedly aimed at deterring violent attacks on police stations and preventing the theft of firearms from police facilities.
However, Murkomen later sought to clarify his statement, asserting that the shoot-to-kill order applies specifically to criminals attempting to rob police stations or attack officers, rather than a blanket authorisation to use lethal force in all situations.
He emphasised that the intent behind the directive was to protect police officers and secure police installations from violent criminals.
Despite this clarification, the backlash has persisted. Human rights organisations and legal experts continue to express deep concerns over the potential for abuse and an escalation of police brutality under the guise of this directive.
The LSK’s firm stance reiterates the need for law enforcement to respect constitutional rights and the rule of law, warning that unlawful orders must not be used as justification for human rights violations.
