Raila: Murkomen personally apologised to me over shoot-to-kill order
ODM leader Raila Odinga has disclosed that Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen personally apologised to him over his widely criticised “shoot-to-kill” remarks made after the June 25 protests.
Addressing the press during Saba Saba commemorations on Monday, Raila said he called out Murkomen over the statement, which had sparked national outrage and condemnation from human rights groups.
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“I said he was totally out of order, and he apologised to me and to the people,” Raila said, referring to Murkomen’s statement where he directed police to shoot anyone who approached a police station during the protests.
Although Murkomen later claimed he was misquoted, the damage was already done, with the remarks fuelling fears of excessive force and state-sanctioned brutality.
The ODM leader used the moment to reiterate his long-standing concerns about Kenya’s policing system, saying the country had inherited a colonial force designed to suppress, not serve.
“I’ve talked about police reforms for years during this regime, the one before it, and even earlier. The colonial system was meant to control the natives, not protect citizens,” he said.
Raila criticised what he termed as superficial reforms, noting that changing the terminology from ‘police force’ to ‘police service’ means little without actual structural transformation. “It is not enough to change words. You must take real measures to ensure it is truly a service, not a force,” he said.
Citing examples from neighbouring Tanzania, Raila said it is possible to build a people-friendly police service that is not “trigger-happy.” He urged the government to take bold steps to humanise policing, promote accountability, and align law enforcement with democratic values.
His remarks come as the country continues to witness violent confrontations between police and protesters, with civil society groups accusing the state of shrinking civic space and criminalising dissent.
As Kenyans marked the 35th anniversary of Saba Saba, Raila’s call was a reminder that the struggle for a just, accountable, and democratic Kenya remains far from over.
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William Muthama
William Muthama is a digital journalist with a focus on entertainment, human interest, and current affairs. Share stories: [email protected]/ [email protected]
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