Police Constable Hiram Kimathi has broken his silence after being transferred to Todonyang, a remote outpost in Turkana County, following his public criticism of recent “shoot to kill” directives issued by senior government officials.

Speaking during an interview on KTN, Kimathi, who has served in some of Kenya’s most volatile regions, said the transfer came as no surprise. “I expected it because I knew that they would transfer me regardless of the cost. But I didn’t take it badly,” he stated.

The officer believes the move was not a routine transfer, but a form of punishment for speaking out against controversial orders from top-ranking officials, including President William Ruto and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, instructing officers to use lethal force on suspected criminals.

“I think that if the National Police Service could transfer me from Kyumbi Police Station to Todonyang, which is in Turkana County, 180 kilometres from Lodwar, because of speaking out, it clearly shows there is a serious problem,” Kimathi said.

His comments come at a time when human rights groups have raised concerns about the increasing militarization of policing in Kenya and a growing culture of silencing dissent within the service.

Despite the apparent backlash, Kimathi remains firm and undeterred. “Nobody was born employed. If I lose this job, I will go back to society and start again,” he declared.

According to the officer, he sees a clear double standard in how his case is being handled. “The people there are not being punished. But for me, it’s a punishment because I spoke out,” he added.

Kimathi also said he has fulfilled his duty in active, high-risk areas and believes his transfer to Todonyang is symbolic rather than operational. “I am not eligible to go back to the forward areas. My work is done there,” he said, suggesting that the transfer serves more as isolation than deployment.