Katiba Institute Challenges Directive Allowing Police to Use Force and Firearms

The Katiba Institute has taken formal action challenging the constitutionality of Policy Directive Number 1 of 2025, which sets the guidelines under which police officers can use force and firearms.

The institute has filed a constitutional petition at court number HCCHRPET/E275/2026, and it has challenged the notice, which was issued on July 18, 2025, by the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen, to the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja.

The filing of the petition by civil society is a major step in scrutinizing and possibly reforming how police officers use force.

The petition was filed by the Katiba Institute, and lodged at court number HCCHRPET/E275/2026 by its executive director, Patrick Ooko, and lawyer Daniel Ng’etich.

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Contested Provisions of Police Use of Force Directive

It has challenged provisions within the current policy directive, and it is argued that the provisions of policy directive Number 1 of 2025 are in contravention of the constitutional rights of Kenyans.

The specific arguments that have been raised within the constitution petition have not been fully provided.

However, it is being reported that the petition has been filed under Article 23 of the Constitution, as it is believed that policy directive No. 1 of 2025 is not constitutional in many aspects that relate to law enforcement, human rights, and citizens’ rights at large.

It is being stated in this challenge, which was filed on July 18, 2025, that the law enforcers use unwarranted force and firearms against citizens in situations where their rights would not have been violated, and or their lives and property would have been saved.

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Legal Challenge to Police Use of Force Directive

In any event, the legal challenge is likely to prompt more public and judicial scrutiny of the rules that must govern police use of force.

The case number, HCCHRPET/E275/2026, will be important in tracking how it moves through the Kenyan judicial system.

Authorities stated that as the case develops, they expect to receive more specific information on the basis for the petition and the particular concerns of the institute.

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Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen filed a constitutional petition at court number HCCHRPET/E275/2026 and it has challenged the notice to inspector General Police, Douglas Kanja/PHOTO FILES