A group of leading civil society organisations has filed a constitutional petition against Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen over the remarks he made last week encouraging police officers to shoot individuals approaching police stations.

Katiba Institute, Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), and other members of the Police Reforms Working Group want the court to declare Murkomen unfit to hold public office, and to hold him personally responsible for any deaths or injuries caused by police following his “shoot to kill” remarks.

The civil society organizations are seeking an urgent court order compelling the Interior CS to publicly withdraw his comment.

In a joint statement on July 2, 2025, the group termed Murkomen’s remarks as unlawful conduct, and a violation of constitutional ethics.

During a public addresses on June 26, 2025 Murkomen was recorded instructing police to shoot-to-kill in certain situations and assured them of his protection if they acted on those orders.

The petition argues that Murkomen’s statements, encourage excessive use of force by police, violates article 33 of the Constitution on freedom of expression, as they constitute incitement.

According to the civil society, his remarks breaches article 10 and chapter six, which set out the standards for ethical conduct by public officers.

The groups further cite the 2022 high court ruling in Katiba Institute and Another V Attorney-General, which limited the use of firearms by police, especially in situations where less harmful methods are available such as the peaceful protests.

The matter is now before the court as the civil society coalition continues to push for accountability and respect for human rights within law enforcement.