Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has dismissed claims alleging the existence of a secretive police ‘killer squad’ targeting civilians during recent protests.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, July 15, Murkomen reassured Kenyans that any officers found to have acted unlawfully, especially those accused of harming innocent civilians, would be held accountable.
“There is no known police squad that is killing people. At least not in this administration,” Murkomen stated.
Addressing concerns over the use of unmarked vehicles and plainclothes officers in crowd control operations, the CS explained that current police procedures do permit such operations under specific circumstances.
“Sometimes officers are embedded in situations to make sure that they collect evidence immediately that will help in apprehending criminals, and whether they are using a Subaru or walking on foot, they are expected to abide by the law,” he explained.
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Murkomen emphasized that all officers, whether in uniform or not, are bound by the Constitution and the rule of law. He maintained that the formation of any group within the police service to harm or kill citizens would be illegal and unconstitutional.
“A police officer, whether he is wearing a uniform or not, is bound by the law,” he said. “Any officer said to be killing people must be investigated.”
The CS’s remarks come in the wake of explosive allegations made by former Deputy President and DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua.
Gachagua had accused the government of deploying armed gangs disguised as plainclothes officers to harass and kill peaceful protesters, particularly during the Saba Saba demonstrations, which saw widespread destruction and loss of life.
“This squad of 101 people was formed when I was still in government. The officers were recruited from the Administration Police unit for special training by NIS on abductions, killings, and cover-up,” Gachagua had earlier claimed.
