Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has called out politicians who are increasingly involved in altercations with police officers.
Mr Murkomen said he would defend the police against outside interference while they were carrying out their duties.
Recently, Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo was involved in an altercation with Isiolo OCS, while Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng'eno was caught on camera on Tuesday confronting police officers after six people were shot dead at Angata Barikoi in Transmara.
Speaking in Isiolo during a meeting with security teams from Meru, Isiolo, Laikipia, Samburu and Marsabit counties, the CS said Kenyans must respect police officers to avert anarchy.
"You have my unwavering support as you do your job. Police officers are trained on how to use the gun and very few can be accused of misusing their weapons. We have seen officers restraining themselves under immense provocation," CS Murkomen said.
"I urge leaders to respect our police officers. Anarchy will become a signature of a nation that does not respect its police officers."
Mr Murkomen said that even as Kenyans exercise their right to demonstrations, they must not protest while armed.
"Let us restrain ourselves and avoid provoking the police officers. As long as I am Interior CS, I will defend our officers and demand they be respected," he said.
The CS, who was accompanied by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Langat, told police officers not to be intimidated while in the line of duty.
"We will not be unfair to police officers who use their firearms in self-defence when in danger. But we will not defend rogue officers," Mr Murkomen said.
He said anyone with a grievance against a police officer should channel it through the relevant institutions.
The CS was in Isiolo to investigate rampant cases of banditry in the five counties.
He called for proper coordination and partnership among government officials to ensure recovery of stolen animals and arrest of suspects.
Mr Murkomen said the vetting of national police reservists would ensure that they serve the government and not their clans.
"Chiefs have also been struggling with whether to serve the government or their communities. We must all work as a team, irrespective of our boundaries, to end banditry," he said.
Mr Murkomen said all police reservists must be accountable and reachable to their police commanders.
"We also have the problem of NPR officers paying allegiance to political leaders and their clan. The recruitment process should not be done by a politician," the CS said.
He urged security officers to identify those buying stolen cattle as well as criminal networks supplying guns and ammunition to bandits.
