KITUI, Kenya – Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has called on newly graduated security officers to uphold the highest standards of discipline and professionalism as they take up national duties, warning against the misuse of force and urging greater engagement with communities.
Speaking at the Border Police Training Campus during the graduation ceremony of the Border Police Unit Special Role Course No. 1/2025, CS Murkomen praised the 127 officers for their resilience during the intensive training programme.
He challenged them to embody the principles outlined in the National Police Service Act and the Constitution of Kenya, particularly in how they relate to the public.
“Diplomacy is not weakness—it is strength. Build relationships, not barriers,” said Murkomen. “Your role is to safeguard our borders and earn the trust of the communities you serve.”
The course, the first of its kind, was designed to address the growing complexity of border-related threats and included modules on ambush and counter-ambush operations, counter-IED tactics, patrol formations, forensic procedures, threat assessment, and terrain appreciation.
Murkomen reiterated that while officers are trained in the use of firearms, the law is clear on when such force is justified.
“When you use a firearm against another person, it must be because your life or that of another is in immediate danger—or the person is fleeing after committing a felony,” he stated, referencing Section 61 of the NPS Act, 2011.
The CS appeared to allude to recent national protests and incidents of public unrest, including an episode in Dagoretti, Kiambu County, where a protester reportedly stormed a police post and stole a firearm.
“When someone robs a police station of a gun and runs with it, that weapon can be turned on civilians or officers. How are police supposed to recover it without risk?” he posed. “We cannot glorify criminal behaviour and then criticise law enforcement for protecting the public.”
Murkomen cautioned against the politicisation of security operations, stressing that while police reforms continue, the focus must remain on balancing public safety with human rights.
He praised the National Police Service (NPS) for evolving its training curriculum to reflect modern threats and global best practices.
“The dynamic nature of our security landscape demands constant evolution,” he said. “I commend the NPS leadership for updating its approach in line with emerging challenges, especially at our borders.”
The CS also paid tribute to the instructors and support staff who facilitated the course, commending their dedication to preparing officers for real-world field conditions.
In his closing remarks, Murkomen urged the graduates to carry out their duties with integrity, restraint, and accountability.
“Use of force must always be lawful, necessary, and proportionate. You are not only guardians of our borders—you are ambassadors of trust, law, and order.”
