Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has revealed that Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen apologised to him and to Kenyans over controversial remarks that were widely viewed as supporting the use of lethal force against protesters.

Raila, speaking during the Saba Saba Day commemorations on Monday, said the apology followed a conversation they had after the June 25 protests in Nairobi, where police were accused of using excessive force.

He said Murkomen acknowledged that the language used was wrong and assured him that the police would treat Kenyans with greater care going forward.

"I said it was totally out of order, and he apologised to me and to the people. Police should handle people with care," Raila said.

The former Prime Minister was responding to public outrage over statements by Murkomen which seemed to justify the use of deadly force to protect infrastructure during the anti-government protests. The comments sparked fury from rights groups and citizens, who blamed the police for the deaths of several protesters, including children.

“We have witnessed a lot of bloodshed recently. Children who went out to demonstrate, some of them died – some of them shot by the police,” Raila said.

He insisted that even in moments of unrest, the police must not resort to unlawful killings.

“The police should never ever shoot to kill. Police have no licence to kill human beings. If somebody has committed a crime, arrest that person and take them before a court of law,” he added.

In response to the backlash, Murkomen denied giving any shoot-to-kill order, saying his remarks had been misinterpreted. He maintained that his statement was based on his understanding of the law regarding the protection of public property and not a directive to police.

“I am saying this with all humility. I cannot order an Inspector General of Police on anything because the Constitution does not allow me to do so,” Murkomen said.

“What I did was to state the law. As a lawyer, I have read, studied, and understood these laws,” he added.

“You will not find me anywhere saying somebody should be shot to be killed. You will not find me anywhere saying a police officer should take orders from me.”

During his Saba Saba address, Raila also pushed for far-reaching police reforms, saying the force must stop being used as a weapon against citizens and instead serve and protect all Kenyans with dignity and fairness.

"The police service must be reformed to become a people's defender, servant," he said.

He reiterated his proposal for a national conclave that would bring together Kenyans from all walks of life to find long-term solutions to issues around governance, corruption, and leadership accountability.

Raila said such a forum must work towards stronger institutions and policies that would promote transparency, end impunity, and ensure that leaders answer for their actions.