State to issue directive on use of force by law enforcement

The Ministry of Interior is set to roll out a policy directive on the use of force and firearms by law enforcement officers in the wake of public outrage over excessive use of force by police officers.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen warned police officers accused of unlawful use of force that they will face the law as he denied, the state has a special squad of police officers who are reining terror on citizens.

Murkomen revealed 42 people died during the protests, close to 600 were injured, of which 496 were police officers, and 1500 people have so far been arrested countrywide, on various charges including terrorism, murder, and robbery with violence, sexual assault, arson and targeted attacks on strategic infrastructure.

On the question of use of excessive force by police officers during the protests, Murkomen says one police officer is facing murder charges.

He, further, revealed plans are underway to guide the conduct of police officers when handling firearms during protests.

Murkomen maintained that the government will not relent in ensuring that criminals who infiltrate protests to cause mayhem face the law.