Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has come out to defend the Kenya Kwanza regime amid reports of increased police brutality under their watch.

Speaking while attending a Senate session on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Murkomen refuted claims that cases of police brutality have peaked under the current administration.

The CS insisted that police brutality is not a new phenomenon, but the current regime is implementing measures to reverse the trend.

“Police brutality is not something that started three years ago with this administration. Police brutality has been witnessed since 1960, but it was even heavier in the last administration,” Murkomen told the senators.

Critics of police brutality

The cabinet secretary was responding to a question raised by Kitui County senator Enock Wambua, who questioned the killings by police officers and asked about the measures the ministry has taken to curb the increasing problem.

“The killings by police officers have become too commonplace in the country. What policy direction are you giving the service, CS Kipchumba Murkomen, to ensure that everybody feels comfortable in the presence of police officers? “Senator Wambua asked.

The united opposition and the Linda Mwananchi faction have been uproaring about police brutality, where police officers have lobbed teargas to disperse members of the public; in extreme cases, people have been shot dead in these rallies.

In places like Kisii and Kakamega, the police have been accused of interfering with political rallies and dispersing political opposition activities with teargas and instilling fear in citizens through intimidation.

With the 2027 Kenya general elections in sight, violence in political gatherings has fuelled criticism of the issues regarding police accountability and political influence.

Those who criticise it claim that in the absence of tangible reforms, institutional malpractice will continue posing a threat to social security, democracy, and confidence in the law enforcement system.

However, Murkomen informed the House that he submitted a policy paper to the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, detailing measures that could be applied to address the issue of brutality in the country.