Murkomen Issues New Directives To Police Ahead Of Saba Saba Protests

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced fresh directives for police officers, just days after being slammed over remarks interpreted as ‘shoot-to-kill’ orders.

Speaking during a Thanksgiving mass at St Augustine Mwanika Catholic Church in Athwana, Tigania West, Meru County on Sunday, July 6, Murkomen addressed the upcoming July 7 Saba Saba demonstrations.

He stated that police have been specifically instructed to maintain peaceful coexistence with civilians both on the streets and within police stations.

"We have told our police officers that we want police stations to become an area that unites Police and civilians," the CS asserted.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen speaking at a Thanksgiving Mass at St Augustine Mwanika Catholic Church, Athwana, Tigania West, Meru County. /KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN

The CS stated that although he supported Kenyans’ democratic right to protest, they must demonstrate peacefully and in an orderly way, warning that the government had the authority to intervene if things turned chaotic.

He added, "I've also told our police officers to be tame and good with civilians. But when it comes to battling goons and those who want to destroy property while killing officers, I've instructed them to be ruthless to ensure peace prevails. I know you don't want a country where an officer is chased away. I urge all people who are calling for protests, whether on Monday or whichever date, you can go picket but do so in peace."

The CS’s remarks followed a backlash over earlier directives telling police to use their firearms if they felt threatened by civilians. Murkomen later explained that his statement was consistent with Section B(1) of the National Police Service Act, which permits officers to use firearms for self-defence.

Meanwhile, tension started to build in parts of the country as Kenyans prepared to mark July 7, 1990 — the day protests erupted demanding multiparty democracy.

Amid fears of possible chaos on Saba Saba Day, several schools have advised students to remain at home and return to class on Tuesday. In addition, many major businesses and private employers had notified their staff to be ready to work remotely to steer clear of possible clashes.

However, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku ordered all public servants to report to work on Monday, July 7, regardless of the planned Saba Saba Day protests likely to disrupt parts of the country.

While addressing a church service in Embu County attended by President William Ruto, Ruku cautioned that the government would deal firmly with any civil servant who fails to show up for duty on Monday.

"Tomorrow, Monday, is not a public holiday. All civil servants across the Republic of Kenya are expected to be in their offices regardless. This affects all the regional and subcounty offices as well as government offices in Kenya," Ruku warned, adding, "We are expected to report to work as per the Human Resources Policies and Procedure Manual."

Ruku also stressed that all government offices must open at exactly 8 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. without exception, insisting that regular working hours would be strictly enforced and no protest-related excuses would be accepted.

He added that lunch breaks would be taken precisely at 12:30 p.m. and warned against any other unauthorised breaks throughout the day.

Ruku warned that any civil servants who ignore the directive would receive show-cause letters, adding that he would continue making surprise visits to government offices to ensure everyone complies.

"Those saying that tomorrow is a public holiday, we are expected to be in our offices exactly at the required times. I will be doing spot checks, and should I find that there are no people, then expect showcause letters," he maintained.