Omtatah calls for Ruto, Murkomen resignations over shooting directive
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has called for the resignation of President William Ruto and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, accusing them of violating the Constitution by issuing controversial shooting orders to police during protests.
Speaking during an interview on a local media station on July 14, 2025, Omtatah criticised Murkomen’s public directive for police to shoot violent protesters outside police stations, arguing that it lacked constitutional backing and showed a disregard for the rule of law.
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“Murkomen has got no capacity to issue that order. And any police officer who answers first-standing orders, who understands them, the law, would ignore him,” Omtatah stated.
“Secondly, it has to be in writing, not off the cuff. That’s what Article 135 requires in the Constitutio,” he added.
Call for resignations
Referencing recent protests, the senator asserted that both Murkomen and Ruto should take responsibility for the violent crackdown on demonstrators, claiming that their actions and rhetoric had emboldened police officers.
“For me, they violated the Constitution, and there have to be consequences. Somebody like Murkomen should really resign from his office because he basically doesn’t know what to do in that office,” he stated.
“Even President William Ruto, as Commander-in-Chief, should resign. He doesn’t know what to do in that office,” he emphasised.
Responding to questions on whether the resignations were realistic under the current administration, Omtatah pointed to Article 146 of the Constitution, which outlines the process for presidential resignation.
“The Constitution was written for people who understand and respect the rule of law. If you see that your presence is a problem or you are unable to govern, you resign. Do the honourable thing,” he explained.
The senator elaborated on the constitutional process that would follow such resignations, explaining that the National Assembly Speaker would take over for 60 days while new elections are held.
“The country is bigger than the individual. That resigning is one part of upholding the constitution. Resign your command and let the consequences follow,” Omtatah urged.
Police conduct
Beyond the immediate controversy, Omtatah raised broader concerns about the militarisation of the National police Service, criticising officers for wearing military-style uniforms in civilian settings.
He specifically pointed to the Inspector General of Police’s appearances in Parliament wearing jungle attire instead of official dress.
“Our police are heavily militarised. Look at the uniforms they wear. They come to the city in jungle attire. When you go to the law on police dress code, they are not supposed to come to the city in jungle welfare, or jungle fatigues,” he stated.
“Even the Inspector General of Police came to Parliament twice in jungle fatigues. It tells you the problem we’re dealing with.”
Omtatah called for the complete disbandment and reconstitution of the police command, arguing that policing in a democratic society must remain civilian in nature and align with constitutional standards.
“That’s why when we say that the police command should be disbanded and reconstituted afresh, we mean that the rot is so deep. These people cannot even dress for an occasion. The jungle attire should only be for the paramilitary, like the Jeshi, when they are doing operations, wherever they are doing it, but also not in the city. We need to be policed in a civilian manner, not in a militarised manner,” he asserted.
