Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Demands Immediate Withdrawal of Police ‘Shoot-to-Kill’ Order in Coast Region

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has strongly called for the immediate withdrawal of a controversial police directive authorizing officers to shoot and kill suspected criminals in the Coast region.

The order was issued by Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno on Saturday, February 7, 2026. It targeted machete-wielding criminal gangs, including juvenile groups known as the 'Panga Boys' and other similar armed groups. These gangs have been linked to a surge in violent attacks across Mombasa, Kwale, and Kilifi counties. The attacks have involved assaults on pedestrians and traders using pangas, leading to injuries, fear among residents, and loss of property.

In one reported incident on January 25, 2026, in Tononoka within Mvita Sub-County, armed gangs carried out attacks that left a private security guard critically injured after being slashed with a machete. Police made at least six arrests in connection with two related incidents.

KNCHR Chairperson Claris Ogangah described the directive as a clear violation of the Constitution of Kenya. She specifically pointed to Article 244 (c), which requires the National Police Service to respect constitutional standards of human rights and fundamental freedoms in delivering services. Ogangah warned that such a 'shoot-to-kill' order puts innocent lives at risk and could lead to the profiling of innocent citizens, especially youths in informal settlements. She emphasized that it replaces professional policing with state-sanctioned violence and bypasses judicial processes.

The commission highlighted that the measure undermines key constitutional protections under Articles 26, 48, 50, and 244 (c). Ogangah stated that summary executions are a feature of lawless states and have no place in a modern democracy like Kenya.

While acknowledging the legitimate concerns and fears of residents affected by the criminal activities, KNCHR expressed solidarity with victims of these crimes. The commission reaffirmed that every Kenyan is entitled to freedom and security of the person as guaranteed under Article 29 of the Constitution.

KNCHR urged the Inspector General of Police and the National Police Service to clarify their official stance on the directive. It also called on the Regional Police Commander to withdraw the order without delay and to commit to upholding Article 244 (c).

The commission offered to collaborate with the National Police Service to build a culture that promotes and protects human rights for all Kenyans. It pledged to closely monitor the situation and to pursue legal action on behalf of anyone harmed as a result of the directive.