Kenyan Minister orders police to "shoot citizens on sight to kill"

NAIROBI,  Kenya 

The Law Society of Kenya has slammed Interior Minister,  Kipchumba Murkomen over his "shoot on sight" order to police against civilians who attack police stations. 

The LSK has termed the statement reckless, warning it could fuel more extrajudicial killings. Murkomen has since clarified that police are well aware of their limits in the use of force.

"Na tumeambia polisi mtu yeyote atakaribia police station piga yeye risasi," Murkomen said in swahili language. 

It is an order that was instantly rejected by the public.

As the Minister gave a green light for the police to shoot on sight any aggressors who approach police stations with criminal intent. His voice was drowned out by jeers from the residents of Kikuyu Constituency, Kiambu County, who had assembled at the Deputy County Commissioner’s office.

"Mtu mwenye anaenda kuiba bunduki, abembelezwe?" Murkomen posed.  

“Shika yeye (arrest him)," the gathering replied.  

"Bunduki sio mandazi!" Murkomen retorted. 

The sentiments attracted wide criticism both online and offline, with the Law Society of Kenya leading the offensive against the order.

In a strongly worded statement, LSK President Faith Odhiambo began by dismissing the authority of the minister to issue such operational directives to the police, stating:

"The minister has no authority under the law to issue such an order," she noted. 

The lawyers' body issued a stern warning to police officers against misusing their firearms, adding: "Any unjustified act of aggression, disproportionate use of force, or extrajudicial killing carried out under such illegal directives will be deemed a premeditated crime."

The LSK concluded by cautioning the police against complying with the unlawful directive issued by the CS on Thursday evening.

"We sound our unequivocal warning to the National Police Service, that they are legally prohibited from acting upon and complying with the ultra vires, illegal, and unconstitutional shoot-to-kill order."

Following the backlash online, the minister, who was attending a graduation ceremony at the Border Police Training Campus in Kanyonyo, Kitui County, clarified that security agencies are well-trained and aware not to misuse their authority.

"Hatujasema itumiwe kiholela. Ile tunajaribu kutetea ni polisi mwenye maisha yake iko hatarini na anaambiwa ukitumia utashtakiwa," Murkomen remarked. 

The sixth schedule of the National Police Service Act outlines strict conditions on the use of firearms, stating they should only be used when all other means are inadequate.