Coast Police Commander Ali Nuno Under Fire for ‘Shoot-to-Kill’ Order Against Panga-Wielding Criminals

By Feddy Madebe

Human rights group warns extrajudicial force threatens public safety amid rising crime in Mombasa region

A leading police oversight organization in Kenya has strongly criticized recent controversial statements by a senior regional police official advocating for lethal force against suspected criminals, arguing such directives violate the law and put innocent lives at risk.

The Police Reforms Working Group Kenya (PRWG-K) issued a formal statement Monday condemning Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno’s public remarks endorsing a shoot-to-kill policy targeting armed criminals in Mombasa and surrounding coastal areas.

Controversial Directive Sparks Legal Concerns

Commander Nuno recently told residents that officers under his command had been authorized to use lethal force against individuals wielding machetes who threaten public safety in the region.

“The moment I find you raising your machete to someone, I will shoot you. I have given the police the order to use their weapons,” Nuno declared during a public address, defending the approach as legally justified when officers or civilians face immediate danger.

However, PRWG-K maintains this directive contradicts established legal standards governing police use of force in Kenya.

Legal Framework for Police Use of Force

The watchdog group emphasized that all police actions must comply with strict legal principles outlined in the National Police Service Act of 2011, specifically Section 1(A) of the Sixth Schedule.

According to PRWG-K, lawful use of force by law enforcement must satisfy five critical requirements: legality, necessity, proportionality, accountability, and application only as a last resort.

“While PRWG-K recognizes the difficult task faced by security agencies in responding to violent crime, the use of force must comply with the law,” the organization stated, stressing that effective public safety cannot be achieved through unlawful tactics or administrative protection of misconduct.

Transfer Controversy Fuels Impunity Concerns

The reform group also criticized recent reports suggesting officers implicated in excessive force incidents in Nandi County had been quietly transferred to new posts rather than facing formal disciplinary proceedings.

“Merely relocating officers accused of violence fails to address the underlying misconduct and risks spreading patterns of abuse to new communities,” PRWG-K warned, arguing such administrative actions perpetuate a culture of impunity within the police service.

The National Police Service (NPS) has disputed these transfer claims, calling them “false and misleading.” NPS officials insist the officers involved remain under administrative review and will face full accountability for their conduct.

“There will be no tolerance for misconduct and command responsibility remains a core pillar of policing,” an NPS statement declared.

Calls for Independent Investigation

PRWG-K has urged the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to launch thorough investigations into alleged cases of excessive force, provide transparent public updates on findings, and recommend formal disciplinary action against officers found to have violated regulations.

The organization also highlighted the doctrine of command responsibility, noting that senior officers who authorize, permit, or fail to prevent unlawful conduct by subordinates bear legal and professional responsibility for violations occurring under their supervision.

The controversy emerges amid growing public concern over crime rates in coastal Kenya, particularly incidents involving armed attacks on residents and businesses in Mombasa County and neighboring areas.

As Kenya continues efforts to reform its police service and improve community relations, the debate over appropriate use of force remains a contentious issue balancing public safety demands with human rights protections and the rule of law.