The government will issue a policy directive to the Inspector General of Police on the use of force and firearms by law enforcement officers following the raging debate and national concerns on the use of force by officers. 

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said he will issue the police directive on Friday, July 18, 2025, warning that vile crimes like rape, invasion of hospitals, torching police stations and forcible entry of protected areas witnesses during the June 25 and July 7, 2025, protests will be dealt with firmly. 

According to the police regulations, officers have the right to use justified force while apprehending a suspect or trying to prevent a crime, and may use lethal or non-lethal means, depending on the circumstances.

For force to be considered justifiable, the threat itself must be unavoidable and immediate, and the amount of force used must be at an appropriate level under the circumstances. 

Chaos witnessed 

The CS was speaking on July 15, 2025, during a briefing on the status of the investigations into the chaos witnessed in parts of the country during the last two protests. 

“Cognisant of the raging debate and national concerns on the use of force by security personnel, I will this Friday, pursuant to Article 245 (4) of the Constitution, be issuing a policy directive to the Inspector General of Police on the use of force and firearms by law enforcement officers,” the CS said. 

CS Murkomen said a total of 1,500 people have been arrested countrywide in connection to the two protests and they have been charged with various offences, including terrorism, murder, robbery with violence, sexual assault, arson, malicious damage to property and targeted attacks on strategic infrastructure. 

Of these, 71 cases are with the ATPU while 50 others are currently under investigation by the DCI’s Serious Crimes Investigations Unit (SCU). 

“On June 25 and July 7 2025, criminals in different parts of the country visited raw and unprecedented terror on innocent citizens, causing distress, disruption, mayhem, and untold destruction,” Murkomen said. 

The CS also said a total of 42 Kenyans were killed during the two protests, and about 600 others were injured. Out of these injuries, 496 were law enforcement officers. 

Offices destroyed 

Murkomen said public facilities, including police stations, government offices, vehicles, and a hospital, were also destroyed in the attacks that were on a scale that had never been witnessed before. 

“This disturbing trend of targeting police stations, stealing firearms and ammunition, points to a coordinated attempt to subvert the state’s ability to guarantee law, order, and public safety,” he said. 

He added: “When a police post or station is raided or razed, it leaves the public at the mercy of dangerous criminals.” 

At Dagoretti Police Post, the criminals stole guns and razed residential buildings housing officers and their families, while in Kikuyu, a mob attacked Government offices, torching Kikuyu Police Station, the Sub-County headquarters, National Registration Office (NRB), County government offices, the Assistant Chief’s office, the Kenya Forest Service offices, Kikuyu Law Courts, as well as Dagoretti Police Post and police lines. 

“Five guns were also stolen in Dagoretti Police Post, and another four firearms were burnt in Gachui Police Post. One of the guns stolen in Dagoretti on June 25 was used to commit robbery in Naivasha the following day,” the CS said. 

On June 25, 2025, a rowdy group of youths attacked Matuu Police Station, leaving 8 officers injured and several government vehicles damaged, and a total of 18 suspects have been charged in connection with this attack. 

Gas tanker burnt 

In Machakos County, 66 suspects linked to the torching of a gas tanker along Kitui road on July 7 have been arrested and charged. 

“In another shocking attack, arsonists invaded and burned the Olkalou Police Station killing three suspects who were in custody. They also torched 26 vehicles,18 county government motorbikes, burned down an exhibit store and destroyed the report office,” he added. 

In Nakuru County, Viwandani Patrol Base in Naivasha was burnt while a firearm loaded with 20 rounds of ammunition was snatched by criminals in Shauri Moyo. A total of 16 police stations and posts were either burnt or destroyed on the two days of terror. 

Dozens of private properties were also destroyed. In Naivasha, goons looted stock from Naivas, Powerstar and Khetias supermarkets and thereafter set ablaze Powerstar Supermarket.

A total of 100 people have been arrested in Nakuru County and charged with various crimes in relation to these acts of criminality. 

In Ruiru, Quickmart and Carrefour supermarkets, where goons stole property worth millions of shillings and as a result, 86 suspects were arrested and charged in court. 

Other businesses that were targeted include Naivas supermarket within Nyeri Town, Mountain Mall where they looted goods from Naivas supermarket and other shops within the mall, Kassmart supermarket in Githurai 44, Khetias market within Eldoret town and Magunas supermarket in Meru. 

“In another reprehensible incident, marauding gangs stormed the operating theatre at the Kitengela Sub-County Hospital, interrupting an emergency caesarean section and terrorising patients and medical staff. Two suspects have been arrested and arraigned,” Murkomen said. 

The CS said intelligence-led operations across various counties have resulted in the arrest of individuals believed to be the masterminds, financiers, instigators, and direct perpetrators of these criminal acts. 

The CS also warned that any police officer accused of unlawful use of force will face the law. Already, one police officer has already been arraigned and is facing murder charges. 

“Any excesses by law enforcement officers will be investigated and appropriate action taken on those found culpable,” Murkomen warned.