Petition to Embassies and High Commissions: Call for a Travel Embargo on Kenya’s Interior Security Minister Oscar Kipchumba Murkomen
To the Esteemed Representatives of Embassies and High Commissions,
We, the undersigned, respectfully urge your governments to impose a travel embargo on Kenya’s Interior Cabinet Secretary, Oscar Kipchumba Murkomen, in response to his directive issued on June 25, 2025, authorizing police to use lethal force against individuals approaching or threatening police stations during protests.
This directive, widely interpreted as a “shoot-to-kill” order, has been condemned by Kenyan citizens, legal experts, human rights organizations, and the United Nations for its potential to incite extrajudicial killings and undermine constitutional freedoms.
Background
On June 25, 2025, Kenya experienced nationwide protests marking the anniversary of the 2024 anti-government demonstrations, during which over 400 injuries.
Minister Murkomen described these protests as an “attempted coup” and issued a directive instructing police to shoot individuals approaching police stations, citing attacks on nine stations, five of which were torched.
His remarks, including statements such as, “Anyone who comes near a police station, shoot them,” have been criticized as unconstitutional by the Law Society of Kenya and human rights activists, who warn of escalating police brutality.
While Minister Murkomen later clarified that his directive was not a blanket shoot-to-kill order but an instruction for police to protect themselves under legal provisions, the initial statements have fueled public outrage and raised concerns about state-sanctioned violence.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed alarm over the deaths and injuries, emphasizing that lethal force must be strictly necessary and proportionate under international law.
Rationale for the Travel Embargo
Minister Murkomen’s directive has created a climate of fear, undermining the right to peaceful protest enshrined in Kenya’s Constitution and international human rights frameworks.
His rhetoric, labeling protests a “coordinated campaign of terror,” risks criminalizing dissent and justifying excessive force. Such actions by a senior official demand accountability to uphold democratic values and human rights standards.
We respectfully request that your governments impose a travel embargo on Minister Murkomen to signal disapproval of his actions and encourage accountability.
This measure would urge the Kenyan government to investigate the use of lethal force during the June 25, 2025, protests, ensure justice for any extrajudicial actions, and reaffirm its commitment to human rights.
Our Requests
1. Impose a Travel Embargo: Restrict Minister Oscar Kipchumba Murkomen from entering your countries until an independent investigation into his directive and its consequences is conducted.
2. Support Accountability: Urge Kenya to investigate the deaths and injuries during the June 25, 2025, protests and hold accountable those responsible for excessive force.
3. Protect Democratic Rights: Advocate for the protection of peaceful protest in Kenya and condemn directives encouraging extrajudicial measures.
Conclusion
The international community plays a vital role in promoting human rights and democracy. A travel embargo on Minister Murkomen would send a clear message that incitement to violence and disregard for constitutional freedoms are unacceptable.
We implore you to act swiftly to support the Kenyan people in their pursuit of justice and democratic expression.
Signed,
Francis Gaitho
on behalf of the Gen Z movement.
Date: June 29, 2025
