Murkomen calls for restored trust between police, civilians

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen has called for a restored trust and peace between police officers and civilians.

The CS said that police stations should become an area that unites the police and civilians.

Murkomen added that there should be a community policing whereby the police and civilians help each other in times of need.

“Kenyans have given us a responsibility to ensure they live in peace and everyone is free and has a right to demonstrate, only if it is peaceful. Violent protests have no place in our society, business people end up loosing their properties,” he said.

“We have told our police officers that we want police stations in Kenya to be an area where it unites police and civilians. People should live as brothers and sisters, they should visit each other. There should be community policing between the OCS and the people.”

He encouraged Kenyans to embrace peaceful protests ahead of the planned demonstrations to mark Saba Saba day.

“I have asked our police officers to be humble like a dove, to be humble to Kenyans but be stern when dealing with rogue people,” he said.

Police and civilians are currently experiencing a strained relationship with Kenyans accusing officers of being brutality during demonstrations.

A section of leaders have also condemned police for using force against peaceful protesters as they watch goons harass peaceful protesters.

Kenyans have been hitting the streets to demand justice for the victims of last year's anti-government protests and accountability from the leaders.

This is even as a group of Nairobi legislators appealed to the youth not to allow to be manipulated by political figures seeking to hijack the Saba Saba protests set for Monday.

Speaking during a press briefing on Sunday, the lawmakers warned that recent demonstrations—originally rooted in legitimate concerns about governance—have been infiltrated by opportunistic politicians and criminal elements, turning peaceful protests into violent confrontations.

“What should have been peaceful expressions of concern have been turned into violent confrontations. Shops have been looted, businesses destroyed, lives lost, and the dangerous rhetoric of tribalism has crept into our streets,” the leaders said in a joint statement.

The legislators urged the youth to remain vigilant and avoid being used as tools to advance selfish political agendas. 

They also called on their fellow leaders to exercise restraint and prioritise national unity over political gain.