Police have been given permission to shoot to kill to contain rising insecurity and fight gangs.
Security bosses Friday asked officers to use guns to end crime, saying police are protected in the law.
This is especially when dealing with armed gangsters or when their lives are in danger.
Inspector-General of Police David Kimaiyo also ordered the police to decisively deal with the 46 criminal gangs terrorising Kenyans.
Speaking during the launch of a partnership between the Mombasa County government and the police service yesterday, the IG and Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku said police had a right to use their guns if criminals refuse to surrender.
Mr Kimaiyo said police can use excessive force if need be, and maintained that there was no way a police officer can arrest an armed gang “empty handed”.
“Where the life of an officer or another person is in danger, police must use their firearms effectively. And this is an order to all police officers in Kenya,” he said.
The police boss added: “There is nothing like human rights when your right has already been infringed by another. We observe human rights, but we have to deal firmly with criminals who are also endangering the lives of others.”
He revealed that police are tracking 46 illegal criminal groups and sects and will deal with them ruthlessly.
“We urge the outlawed groups to surrender and be good citizens because we are following them closely and we will deal with them,” he stressed.
Mr Lenku said the police will follow the law, but will use their firearms to end the anguish caused by criminals. He also called on Kenyans to volunteer information to the police to deal with the gangs.
“There is nothing like extra judicial killings. We have to secure this country. The police will not hold grenades by their hands to take them to prison in the name of preventing extrajudicial killings. We will make sure armed criminals are dealt with as armed criminals,” asserted the Cabinet Secretary.
Source: Daily Nation
