The National Police Service (NPS) has dismissed claims that its officers are working with criminal gangs, saying any officer found collaborating with criminals would be treated as a criminal.

Speaking during a live television interview on Monday, July 6, 2026, police spokesperson Michael Muchiri rejected suggestions that police officers have been working alongside goons during recent incidents of violence.

“Absolutely not, any police officer who is purportedly working with criminals, criminal goons, that is not a police officer,” Muchiri said. He added, “So the answer to that question is police cannot, and police are not working with goons.”

The remarks come amid public concern on social media, which appeared to show police officers at scenes where groups of armed civilians carried out attacks.

Police response

During the interview, Muchiri said the service investigates every incident where officers are suspected of failing to act or being complicit in criminal activities.

“If there is an analysis of a particular scene where police are identified as being probably complicit or just standing by, the regulations are that action has to be taken,” he said.

He added that officers found to have breached the law would face the same legal process as any other Kenyan. “We always leave it to the benefit of the investigating agencies because no one is above the law, not even the police officer.”

Muchiri said disciplinary and criminal action has previously been taken against officers implicated in wrongdoing.

“Action has always been taken whenever any of our officers are involved or suspected to be involved in criminality. You can be able to cite very many examples where some of our own have been taken to court for getting involved in criminality.”

Recent incidents

The issue has attracted public attention following incidents in Kisii, Nairobi and Mbeere North where questions were raised about the conduct of police officers at the scene.

During the interview, the presenter cited videos from the attack on opposition leaders’ convoy in Keumbu, the disruption of a meeting at All Saints Cathedral and violence witnessed during the Mbeere North by-election.

Responding to the concerns, Muchiri maintained that any officer captured in such incidents would be subjected to investigations.

“No one, not an officer, not anyone is above the law when it comes to criminality,” he said.

Public concerns

The incidents have also drawn reactions from political leaders, lawyers and civil society groups who have called for investigations and accountability.

Lawyer Willis Evans Otieno has questioned why armed groups seen in recent incidents have not been arrested, while former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has criticised the government’s handling of the violence.

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has also called for accountability, saying security agencies should act decisively against those involved in criminal activities.

The National Police Service has maintained that investigations into the various incidents are ongoing and that anyone found culpable, including police officers, will be dealt with in accordance with the law.