Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a tough directive to police officers, authorising them to shoot anyone who attacks police stations or threatens officers with violence.

Speaking on Thursday during a meeting with security personnel, Murkomen said the growing wave of lawlessness, including violent raids on police stations and theft of firearms, required immediate and firm action.

He faulted what he described as a weak justice system that releases repeat offenders on bond, only for them to return and target law enforcers.

“Tumeambia polisi, mtu yeyote ambaye atakaribia police station, piga yeye risasi,” said Murkomen, in reference to criminals approaching police stations with the intention of harming officers or stealing weapons.

The remarks came a day after the deadly June 25 protests, during which 300 police officers were reported injured and several police stations looted or torched. On Thursday, a police station in Ndunyu, Nyandarua County, was burned down by residents following claims that a police officer had shot a villager.

Murkomen said the government could no longer allow police to become victims while criminals operate with impunity. “They get released on small bond, return to fight police, and even mock them. This must come to an end,” he said.

His directive quickly drew questions from Kenyans concerned about whether the order applied to everyone approaching police stations. In response, Murkomen clarified that the order only targets armed criminals and those who attack officers or stations.

“Those looking for help, shelter, and reporting cases are okay, but people who come to snatch guns from the police, those who attack police and think that guns are toys must be stopped,” he said.

According to Murkomen, the current trend has emboldened criminals and increased violence against police. He said the state must now act to protect its officers from further attacks, warning that the time for leniency was over.