Kuria made the remarks on June 22 after visiting Boniface, the 22-year-old mask hawker who was allegedly shot at close range by a police officer.
In a statement, Kuria said he had visited Boniface and assured his father, Jonathan Kariuki, of his full support during what he termed a “difficult moment.”
The CS described the shooting as “indefensible no matter the context,” emphasising that such incidents have no place in a democratic society.
“We cannot condone police brutality,” said Kuria.
“This act is indefensible, no matter the context. Coming soon after the cold-blooded murder of Albert Ojwang, this should be a wake-up call for the urgent need for re-orientation of our police.”
Kuria further decried what he termed a worrying trend of violence, citing abductions, extra-judicial killings, forced disappearances, and police brutality as being “incompatible with a democratic state.”
His comments come amid rising public outrage over the conduct of law enforcement during recent protests, with rights groups accusing the police of using excessive force to quell demonstrations.
The incident involving Boniface adds to a growing list of alleged police abuses in recent days, heightening calls for accountability and comprehensive police reforms.
Kuria's statement is one of the strongest yet from a senior government official, and it adds pressure on the Interior Ministry and the National Police Service to act decisively in addressing systemic abuses.
The police officer who allegedly shot Boniface was arrested alongside a colleague and detained after arraignment last week.
Activists are planning yet another wave of protests on June 25 to honour the lives of young people who lost their lives when police opened fire on protesters during anti-government protests in 2024.
A looming confrontation is expected on Wednesday with rival groups allegedly planning counter demonstrations in major towns, including Nairobi.
