The Ministry of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued his first policy directive of 2025 to the Inspector General (IG) of Police Douglas Kanja on the use of firearms and force by the National Police Service (NPS).
CS Murkomen in a letter sent to IG Kanja dated July 18, 2025, said that the objective of the policy is to ensure that there is a consistent and transparent approach adopted on the conditions as to the use of force and firearms in compliance with the Constitution.
“Pursuant to and in accordance with Article 245 (4) and Article 245 (5) of the Constitution of Kenya, I have today issued the enclosed Policy directive on the conditions as to the use of force and firearms by the National Police Service. These directives are further to the provisions of Section 61, Schedule 6A and 6B of the National Police Service Act, save for the impugned provisions under paragraphs 1(c), (d) and (e) of part B,” read part of the letter.
“To this end, kindly ensure that the National Police Service is informed on the inception of the policy.”
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First policy directive issued to IG Kanja on use of firearms and force by NPS
According to the new policy directive, a police officer may use force and firearms only in accordance with the rules on the use of force and firearms under the law, departmental standing orders and the respective policy directive.
“A police officer may use force only to the extent required for the performance of their duty. Force must never be used as a form of extrajudicial punishment. No additional force is lawful when a suspect is safely and lawfully detained. The use of force shall be no more than the minimum reasonably necessary in the circumstances,” reads part of the policy directive.
Police officers will be required to use the minimum force necessary, with firearms reserved for serious injury or life-threatening situations.
Any use of force must be lawful, proportionate and reasonable in the circumstances to achieve a legitimate law enforcement objective.
Whenever the lawful use of force is unavoidable, the officers shall exercise restraint in such use and act in proportion to the seriousness of the offence and the legitimate objective to be achieved, minimize damage and injury, and respect and preserve human life.
They must also ensure that assistance and medical aid are rendered to any injured or affected persons at the earliest possible moment and ensure that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is notified at the earliest possible.
De-escalation training has been mandated to equip officers with skills to defuse volatile situations without resorting to violence.
Also, NPS will adopt bodycams, CCTV, and centralised data systems to track incidents and boost evidence integrity.
Murkomen to issue guidelines on police use of force after violent demos
This comes after the CS earlier in the week revealed that the Ministry of Interior would roll out the policy directive in the wake of public outrage over excessive use of force by law enforcement officers.
Murkomen while speaking on Tuesday, July 15, warned police officers accused of unlawful use of force that they will face the law.
During the media briefing, the CS who was accompanied by Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo and top police commanders revealed that 42 people died during the protests.
He pointed out that close to 600 were injured out of which 496 were police officers.
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On the other hand, the CS said that 1500 people have so far been arrested countrywide, on various charges including terrorism, murder, and robbery with violence, sexual assault, arson and targeted attacks on strategic infrastructure.
On the question of use of excessive force by police officers during the protests, Murkomen said one police officer is facing murder charges.
He further revealed plans are underway to guide the conduct of police officers when handling firearms during protests and denied claims that the state has a special squad of officers who are reigning terror on citizens.
The CS however maintained that the government will not relent in ensuring that criminals who infiltrate protests to cause mayhem face the law.
Murkomen said the protests saw public facilities and private businesses attacked, with some police stations, government offices, vehicles, and even a hospital targeted.
According to him, the destruction of 16 police stations and posts is a “disturbing trend” that threatens public safety.
“When a police station is destroyed, it leaves communities vulnerable. It is our duty as the government to ensure that citizens remain safe and secure,” he said.
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