Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen Friday issued his inaugural policy directive on police use of force and firearms.
There was nothing new in the policy from what the law enforcement officials are trained in the use of firearms and force.
It comes in the wake of increased pressure from various parties on the police on how they handle protests amid claims of extrajudicial killings.
Murkomen announced the issuance of the policy that aims to give guidance on use of force and firearms by the police across the Republic.
“I have issued a policy directive on the use of force and firearms pursuant to Article 245(4) of the Constitution, the National Police Service (NPS) Act and the court decisions to the Inspector General of Police,” said the CS.
“I have dispatched the policy to the IG detailing the recommendations to use force factoring in the prevailing legal framework and court decisions.”
He added the Policy Directive on the Use of Force and Firearms was issued pursuant to Article 245(4) & (5) of the Constitution of Kenya and Section 61 & Schedule 6A-6B of the National Police Service Act
The policy, for instance says the National Police Service shall promote progressive use of technology including fixed closed circuit television systems (CCTVs), body-worn cameras and other digital evidence capture tools with a view to enhancing operational transparency and safeguarding the evidential integrity of all use of force inquiries.
