Police officers who violate human rights will be held personally responsible for their actions, Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen has said amid a growing public outrage over incidents of police brutality across the country.
Speaking in Kisumu on Wednesday on measures to restore public trust in the police service, Murkomen assured Kenyans that errant officers will face the full force of the law, while those struggling with mental health or alcohol-related challenges will be withdrawn from active duty.
A video of police officers torturing youths who were found playing pool in Nandi Hills last week went viral on social media with Kenyans calling on authorities to rein in errant officers.
Murkomen said the government remains committed to building a professional, disciplined, and accountable security sector that operates free of corruption and fully respects human rights as enshrined in the Constitution.
“There have been growing concerns about police brutality, which initially emerged in Nairobi and later spread to other parts of the country. These concerns are valid and are being addressed,” Murkomen said.
He said the Ministry of Interior has engaged the Inspector General and his two deputies to ensure commanders nationwide are properly briefed and held accountable for the conduct of officers under their command.
Police leaders have been directed to monitor officers closely, particularly those who unlawfully use firearms against civilians or fellow officers.
“It is in our interest as a country to ensure that officers who break the law are punished. No one is above the law,” Murkomen added.
Acknowledging that some incidents of brutality have a mental health dimension, the CS said unresolved psychological challenges and alcohol abuse among officers pose risks to both the public and fellow officers.
Commanders have been instructed not to deploy officers suspected of having mental health issues and to ensure those struggling with alcohol or mental health challenges receive immediate medical attention, including counselling or rehabilitation.
“Officers with mental health issues must be removed and supported,” Murkomen said, warning that failure to act exposes colleagues and civilians to danger.
He reiterated that the National Police Service and the Ministry of Interior do not condone human rights violations under any circumstances.
“As a government, we remain committed to the Constitution. Respect for human rights is not optional,” Murkomen stressed.
He assured Kenyans that officers requiring medical or psychological support will be removed from operational duties and taken to rehabilitation centres or medical facilities to prevent a repeat of incidents in which civilians, including children, have been brutalised.
Reforms in the security sector which are ongoing are aimed at strengthening accountability while ensuring that officers operate in a safe, professional, and lawful environment.
Instant analysis
The Interior CS’s statement underscores a growing recognition that police brutality is not just a legal issue but also a mental health and institutional accountability challenge. By linking misconduct to alcohol abuse and unresolved psychological problems, the government signals a shift toward proactive management of officers’ well-being alongside stricter enforcement. Directing commanders to monitor, remove, and rehabilitate at-risk officers could reduce fatal encounters and restore public trust. However, success hinges on consistent implementation, independent oversight, and transparent reporting. Without systemic reforms addressing culture, training, and corruption, punitive measures alone may fail to transform the police into a professional, rights-respecting service.
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