Murkomen calls for an end in disrespecting officers while on duty

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen has warned Kenyans against disrespecting police officers while they are on duty.

He said that just as police conduct is held to account, Kenyans are also responsible for their actions towards police officers.

Addressing the media on Monday, Murkomen said there has been an increase in cases where police officers have come under unwarranted attacks while discharging their duties.

“As we relentlessly advocate for appropriate conduct by the police, there must be a reciprocal emphasis on the responsibility of citizens to show respect towards police officers as they discharge their lawful duties. Just as police officers are held accountable and subjected to public scrutiny, citizens too must accept that their actions are not beyond reproach,” Murkomen said.

He said the challenges must not be ignored because they point to a broader need to foster mutual understanding, accountability and respect between police and Kenyans.

“In some instances, the nation has watched in disbelief as individuals forcefully enter protected areas such as parliament and police stations with incidents such as burning police vehicles and destruction of government installations,” he added.

The CS further said the surge in mob justice, acts of banditry and illegal possession and public display of firearms threaten national security and undermine the rule of law.

Murkomen assured Kenyans that the ministry, in collaboration with other stakeholders, will continue to push for reforms in the security sector.

“This process will be progressive and guided by the constitutional values, best practices and the pursuit of justice and professionalism.

This is even as the CS announced a raft of measures in the ministry to boost the security of Kenyans.

Murkomen said it will now be mandatory for police stations across the country to have CCTV cameras. 

The CS clarified that existing CCTV installations in some stations were informal initiatives not fully sanctioned by the National Police Service, but that moving forward, implementation would be standardised and mandatory nationwide.

Murkomen stated that the OCS of the station will be in charge of managing the CCTV cameras. 

The CS announced that all 1,209 police stations in the country will be equipped with CCTV surveillance within two years to improve transparency and accountability in policing. 

"All police stations must be equipped with CCTV surveillance with a back-up system within two years to enhance transparency and accountability. Additionally, we propose that Parliament enact laws that criminalise tampering with the cameras," Murkomen said.

He directed that all faulty equipment must be reported within one hour through the chain of command.