Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has vowed to take firm action against a man seen in a viral video threatening police officers with a panga during unrest in Nakuru County.
Speaking during the 20th Commemoration of RECSA and Destruction of Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons in Ngong on Thursday, June 13, 2025, the CS said accountability must apply to all, whether civilian or police officer.
Civilian actions condemned
Murkomen criticised the individual’s behaviour and the public reaction, terming it a dangerous case of double standards.
“I recently witnessed a concerning incident in Nakuru. A citizen was seen wielding a panga while police officers were working hard to restore calm in the area. We are currently dealing with a small gang operating in Nakuru,” he said.
He added that cheering on such conduct would only undermine the authority of police officers.
“It was a clear case of double standards for civilians to cheer on the man carrying a panga.”
Despite the tension, Murkomen praised officers for maintaining discipline and acting professionally in the face of provocation.
“In fact, if a police officer had acted in the same manner, the same crowd would likely have called for disciplinary action against the officer.”
Accountability for everyone
Murkomen was also clear that rogue elements within the police service would not be spared.
“While a few police officers may violate human rights, we will deal with such cases on an individual basis. We are committed to striking a balance between justice and accountability. Those who abuse their authority will be brought to justice.”
The Interior CS further noted the difficult conditions under which some officers operate and called for stronger public and institutional support.
He also said the government remains alert to the security situation in Nakuru, where protests have disrupted business and public order for days. Investigations into the panga incident are ongoing, with police maintaining patrols in hotspots across the region.
What happened in Nakuru
The incident in question occurred on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Nakuru’s London area, where protests over the death of a young man named Daniel had escalated.
In viral footage, a man is seen approaching anti-riot police while brandishing a panga and urging other demonstrators forward.
Police responded with tear gas as running battles continued for a second day. Several businesses were disrupted, and property was vandalised during the unrest.
