Police Commander Ali Nuno Clarifies Shoot-to-Kill Orders

Coastal Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno has addressed the growing public outcry regarding his recent directives, clarifying that he has not issued a “shoot-to-kill” order.

However, he stated that his officers will not hesitate to use lethal force against armed gangs.

Speaking during a public gathering, Ali stated that the clarification comes after intense scrutiny from human rights activists and media reports suggesting a shift toward extrajudicial measures in his coastal region.

“There’s no place Ali Nuno issued a shoot-to-kill order, that’s the issue of press people and the human rights activists,” Ali Nuno clarified.

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According to Nuno, he respected the law , human rights and dignity of the people and that he can’t allow such an order to be used.

“What I said is that we will use necessary and reasonable force,” Nuno clarified adding that he will not hesitate to use firearms justifiably if the criminals use dangerous weapons that are likely to cause death.

He further said that he ordered his officers to use their firearms to protect their own life and the lives of the citizens.

Context of the Crackdown

Mombasa has seen a recent emergence of organized criminal activity, with several neighborhoods reporting an increase in machete-wielding gangs.

The Commander’s order is seen as a “get-tough” approach to restore order, though it has walked a fine line between law enforcement and civil liberties.Also Read: Grief and Outrage After Police Shooting Kills Young KMTC Student in Huruma

“There won’t be hesitations if you pose danger to the community,” Nuno added, reinforcing that the burden of safety now rests on the behavior of those disrupting the peace.

On Saturday, February 7, 2026, Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno issued the directives targeting machete-wielding criminal gangs amid a reported rise in violent attacks across Mombasa, Kwale, and Kilifi counties.

Following instances in which armed gangs used pangas to attack traders and pedestrians, the order was issued.

Ali claimed that public safety was in danger and that police would not think twice about using deadly force against suspects when it was permitted by law.

Two attacks in Tononoka, Mvita Sub-County, on January 25 resulted in at least six arrests, according to police. One of the attacks left a private security guard critically injured after being slashed with a machete.

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Photo of police land cruiser. PHOTO/Nairobi Leo