Gachagua-allied MPs threaten to push for Murkomen’s impeachment over shoot-to-kill order

Members of Parliament allied to the former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua have vowed to spearhead the removal of the Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen over his order to police to shoot and kill protesters.

Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji and his Mukuruweini counterpart John Kaguchia accused Murkomen of overstepping his legal authority and endangering public safety.

The two have stated that Murkomen’s order undermines the constitution and erodes the rule of law.

Mukunji has reiterated that the National Assembly needs to act swiftly.

“This Parliament must stand firm. The Interior Cabinet Secretary has overstepped his mandate by issuing unconstitutional directives that endanger lives. We cannot sit back and watch,” he stated.

The lawmaker has accused the Interior CS of perpetuating extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances, claiming such actions have become a hallmark of the President William Ruto administration.

He called on Parliament to exercise its oversight role in defence of Kenyan lives and constitutional freedoms.

Despite the bold stance, Mukunji admitted the impeachment bid may face resistance due to political interference.

“Let’s be honest, Parliament has largely been captured. But we must try,” he said.

On his part, Kaguchia said Murkomen should be condemned as he has no authority over the issuance of such an order.

“The CS has no authority to order police to shoot and kill. Such orders violate the Constitution and must be condemned,” Kaguchia said.

In a video that has since gone viral, the CS is heard instructing the police to shoot anyone who comes near a police station.

“Anyone who approaches a police station should be shot… Should someone who is going to steal a gun be pampered? A gun is not a doughnut,” he ordered.

The remarks that have placed him in hot soup by human rights defenders and politicians led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who accused Murkomen of arrogance and recklessness.

“He is a young, excited CS full of himself because of money and power. Such illegal and careless pronouncements can lead to the loss of innocent lives and expose police officers to legal consequences,” Gachagua said.

ODM leader Raila Odinga also slammed Murkomen’s comments, describing them as irresponsible and unlawful.

“Anybody giving instructions that anyone approaching a police station should be shot, shame on you. The police should never shoot to kill. If someone has committed a crime, they should be taken to court,” Raila stated.

This is even as the President seemed to have taken sides with the CS, saying the government will defend them as they protect the country.

“We cannot have a country where criminals run after our policemen. If a policeman’s life is in danger, then how can our families be safe? This trend must change. The criminals who attacked our officers and destroyed property in the Wednesday mayhem will be held to account. We will stand by every man and woman in uniform and protect them as they discharge their duties,” Ruto stated.

Earlier today, former National Police Spokesperson Charles Owino defended Murkomen, saying he made the order out of frustration in response to rising threats against police officers and public order.

“You see, he has said that out of annoyance, out of what people have done, out of restraint. It is an abuse of a policeman, beaten and carrying his firearm to the ground, and he still restrained himself. He did not shoot at anyone,” he said.

He emphasised that the law provides strict but clear conditions for the use of firearms by police.

“There are provisions in law when police officers use firearms, and they are clear. One of them is to protect life. Another one is to restrain a person trying to rescue, maybe a criminal who has committed a felony, or somebody who is escaping from custody who has committed a felony,” he said.

Owino urged Kenyans to understand the legal framework guiding the use of firearms by police, noting that officers are only allowed to use guns to protect life, prevent escape by a felon, or stop a felon from being rescued.

However, in a shocking turn, Murkomen has denied issuing a ‘shoot-to-kill’ order to police officers two days after making the order.

Murkomen denied saying he cannot give orders to the Inspector General of Police or any officer, as he is barred by the Constitution.

“I cannot order the Inspector General of Police on anything because the constitution denies me to do so. And I did not order the IG or any police officer to carry any extrajudicial anywhere,” Murkomen has defended himself.

He claimed to have restated the law and specifically the National Police Service Act.

“I merely restated the law and as you may recall, the sixth schedule of the National Police Service Act in Paragraph B (1) provides the Conditions for use of a firearm which include the protection of life of officers or civilians; protection of property; self-defense against threats of death or serious injury among others,” Murkomen said.

He went further and claimed that there is no evidence of him issuing the order anywhere.

“Where did I issue a ‘shoot-live to murder’ command?” Having been your good student, I know better than to make unfounded statements,” he stated.