Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen is in the eye of a political storm after two MPs allied to the ruling coalition vowed to table an impeachment motion against him. The lawmakers accuse the CS of violating the Constitution by issuing a controversial “shoot-to-kill” order during recent public unrest.
Highlights
- MPs Gitonga Mukunji and John Kaguchia plan to impeach Interior CS Murkomen.
- They claim Murkomen’s directive encourages extrajudicial killings.
- Murkomen defends his comments, citing the Police Act’s self-defense provisions.
- The impeachment move exposes cracks within the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
Main Story
Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji and Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia have announced plans to introduce an impeachment motion against Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen. The two lawmakers argue that Murkomen’s recent remarks, which they interpret as a directive for police to shoot protesters on sight, amount to a dangerous abuse of office.
Speaking during a public event in Embu, Mukunji said the directive contradicted Kenya’s constitutional values and opened the door to unchecked police brutality. Kaguchia echoed the concern, describing the CS’s statement as “reckless” and lacking any legal or moral foundation.
The controversy stems from remarks Murkomen made during the Gen Z-led protests held on June 25. He was recorded telling police to shoot anyone who tried to storm police stations or posed a threat to officers. The comments sparked outrage among civil rights groups and segments of the public, who viewed them as a license for extrajudicial killings.
In response to the backlash, Murkomen defended his stance, saying his message had been taken out of context. He pointed to provisions in the National Police Service Act that permit the use of force in situations of self-defense or when protecting lives and property.
Despite the defense, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua criticized the remarks, labeling them as irresponsible and cautioning that they could lead to misuse of force by security officers.
While the MPs are determined to push the motion forward, they acknowledge the uphill task ahead, especially given the ruling coalition’s numbers in Parliament. Still, the move signals deepening divisions within Kenya Kwanza, with more leaders now openly challenging the conduct of high-ranking government officials.
The impeachment push is likely to stoke further debate about police reform, human rights, and the boundaries of executive authority in moments of national crisis.
Is this the beginning of greater political accountability — or just a flash in Kenya’s deeply divided power corridors?
