IG Kanja Warns Equipment Shortage Could Force Use of Live Ammunition During Protests

IG Kanja Warns Equipment Shortage Could Force Use of Live Ammunition During Protests

Nairobi, Kenya – Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has warned that severe financial constraints within the National Police Service (NPS) could force officers to resort to live ammunition during protests, citing a critical shortage of non-lethal crowd control equipment.

Appearing before the Administration and Internal Security Committee chaired by Gabriel Tongoyo on Friday, February 20, Kanja revealed that recent demonstrations had depleted the service’s stock of teargas canisters and other essential tools, raising the risk of escalation during public unrest.

“The recent riots have depleted the NPS stock of equipment necessary to ensure that police officers do not resort to live ammunition. In addition, the lack of vehicles has led to delays in police response, thereby hindering service delivery,” Kanja told lawmakers.

Call for Urgent Funding

The Inspector General urged Parliament to intervene by increasing funding for the police service, stressing the need to strengthen operations, improve air support, and expand officer training.

“We require urgent intervention to ensure our officers are adequately equipped to handle demonstrations without resorting to lethal force,” he added.

Kanja’s remarks are expected to spark concern among human rights groups, who have consistently condemned any suggestion that live bullets could be used in crowd control.

Human Rights Concerns

Kenya’s police service has frequently faced criticism over alleged brutality and excessive use of force during protests. In June last year, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen was forced to issue a clarification after rights groups accused him of authorising lethal force during widespread demonstrations by Gen Z activists.

At the time, media reports suggested Murkomen had instructed officers guarding critical infrastructure, including courts, to shoot if threatened.

Presidential Directive

The debate over police use of force intensified on July 9, 2025, when President William Ruto issued a stern warning to protesters involved in violent demonstrations.

“Anyone deciding to storm a person’s business or a police station should be shot in the leg. Thereafter, they can go to court and face the consequences,” Ruto said while addressing officers during the launch of the Police Housing Project at Kilimani Police Station in Nairobi.

Despite widespread condemnation, Ruto later defended his directive in an interview with Al Jazeera published on November 9, 2025.

“I do not regret those comments at all because the law allows the police to use force when other people’s lives are in danger. The police know what they need to do and understand what is in their purview,” the President stated.

Broader Context

Kenya has repeatedly made headlines over the authorisation of lethal force during protests, with critics warning that such directives undermine constitutional rights to peaceful assembly. Analysts argue that the shortage of non-lethal equipment, if not addressed, could further erode public trust in the police service and heighten tensions during demonstrations.

Conclusion

IG Kanja’s warning underscores the financial strain facing the National Police Service and the potential consequences of inadequate resourcing. As Kenya braces for more protests, the debate over police preparedness and the use of force is likely to intensify, placing pressure on lawmakers to balance security needs with the protection of civil liberties.

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IG Kanja Warns Equipment Shortage Could Force Use of Live Ammunition During Protests