3 Groups File Petition To Impeach CS Kipchumba Murkomen
The groups filed a petition against the CS's remarks on police use of force, especially his 'shoot-to-kill orders.'
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Three top organisations have filed a petition at the High Court seeking the ouster of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen from office.
The Katiba Institute, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), and other civil society organisations filed a petition against the CS's remarks on police use of force, especially his 'shoot-to-kill orders.'
"The CS is recorded urging police officers to shoot anyone approaching a police station or endangering the life of a police officer. Murkomen gave assurances that he would protect any police officer who executes his shoot-to-kill orders," the Katiba Institute stated in part in a joint statement released on Wednesday, July 2.
The Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi. /FILE
The petition had alleged that these comments constitute incitement to violence and unlawful acts, and amount to unacceptable ethical conduct required of a public officer.
"The petition asks the court to find that the CS, as a public officer, is not fit to hold public office," added the groups.
It further gave three arguments, the first being a ruling by the High Court in 2022 which set out the limitations to police use of force, rejecting the notion that the use of firearms is appropriate to protect property and limiting the use of firearms when lesser appropriate means are available, as is the case in the context of peaceful protests.
In the second argument, the CS's comments constitute incitement under Article 33 of the Constitution and unethical conduct under Article 10 and Chapter VI of the Constitution. This, the groups added, is because he encourages the unlawful use of force in his initial comments and knew or should have known that he was citing outdated and unconstitutional legal provisions when trying to justify his remarks.
The lobby group also sought for the CS to be held unequivocally responsible for any individuals who lose their lives or are injured from June 26, 2025, at the hands of any police officers, following his unlawful orders.
On June 26, the CS ordered police to shoot anyone who tried to enter a police station or threatened an officer’s life, assuring them the government would have their backs. The comments, however, triggered harsh criticism across the political spectrum, with lawyers and activists slamming them as irresponsible, especially given the spike in police shootings of civilians.
In response, Murkomen defended himself, saying his remarks had been twisted and that he only meant cops should use lethal force if facing serious bodily harm, protecting property, or safeguarding other civilians.
This petition came a day after the National Integrity Alliance (NIA) demanded that Murkomen resign over his recent remarks viewed as defending abductions and police brutality in Kenya.
This came amidst an impeachment motion reportedly being prepared by members of the National Assembly, outraged by Murkomen’s remarks while touring Nairobi’s CBD after the deadly June 25 protests, which left several people dead and injured.
![MOOD: George Ruto's New Ksh14M Matatu Featuring DJ Deck, Solar Power [PHOTOS]](https://viraltea.co.ke/uploads/images/202507/image_140x98_687a721e33eaf.jpg){kind=small}
