Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen speaks in the National Assembly on August 13, 2025. /MINAInterior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has defended the government against criticism and a recent court ruling over the alleged deployment of masked police officers to quell riots.
Speaking in the National Assembly on Wednesday during a session on national security and the fight against drug and substance abuse, Murkomen said all police deployments during protests are conducted in strict compliance with the National Police Service Act.
He noted that police officers worldwide wear helmets as part of their standard uniform, especially in potentially chaotic assignments.
“Most police officers around the world wear uniforms, and their uniform is the helmet. The helmet conceals a police officer more than a mask,” Murkomen said.
“So, if a court orders that all police officers should wear uniforms, then it’s clear that when they wear the helmet, they are wearing their uniform.”
Some legislators had argued that officers should avoid wearing headgear and masks while managing crowds to allow for easier identification in cases of alleged extrajudicial actions during protests.
Murkomen also explained that plainclothes officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are routinely deployed during demonstrations to gather evidence in real time.
“All deployments, at least during my tenure, have been done in accordance with police standing orders, with nothing breaching the law,” he said.
The CS further defended the National Police Service against claims of political bias, dismissing allegations that officers have at times arrested suspects on political grounds.
He was responding to Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji, who claimed his arrest over chaos during the Saba Saba protests in Embu was politically motivated.
“I’m sure Hon Mukunji understands that I am not the judge, and he can prosecute his case either here in Parliament or in court,” Murkomen said, warning that discussing the matter outside court could amount to contempt.
“The National Police Service does not arrest anyone for political reasons. The Inspector General is not a politician, nor is the DCI, and the service is not a political party,” he added.
Murkomen stressed that police have no political scores to settle and act independently to protect Kenyans in line with the constitution.
