KNCHR Demands Withdrawal of ‘Shoot-to-Kill’ Order Against Panga Gangs at the Coast

By : Mweru Mbugua 

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has urged Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno to rescind his directive authorising officers to shoot suspected members of the “Panga Boys” and other machete-wielding gangs amid a surge in violent crime across Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale counties

In a statement issued Wednesday, KNCHR Chairperson Claris Ogangah said the police response to insecurity must strictly adhere to constitutional and human rights standards

The commission warned that such orders undermine the Bill of Rights and institutional accountability, while effectively limiting judicial oversight in the use of force by law enforcement officers

“KNCHR emphasizes the grave risks associated with such orders and how they disregard constitutional and legal safeguards, replacing professional policing with State-sanctioned violence,” the statement read in part

The commission further cautioned that the directive could lead to profiling and possible extrajudicial executions, particularly targeting young people living in informal settlements

“The use of such illegal parameters is likely to profile innocent Kenyans, leading to potential extrajudicial executions, particularly youth residing in informal settlements,” KNCHR added

In an urgent appeal, the commission called on the Inspector General of Police and the National Police Service (NPS) to publicly clarify their official position regarding the directive

The controversy comes amid growing concern over a wave of violent robberies along the Coast region. Criminal gangs have reportedly targeted shops, homes and pedestrians, leaving several victims injured and traumatised

Recent CCTV footage circulating online shows attackers armed with pangas and firearms storming businesses in Mtwapa and Bondo

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Speaking on February 7, 2026, Commander Nuno defended the tough stance, warning criminals that police would not hesitate to use lethal force where justified

“All those men and ladies involved in crime for one reason or another, your days are numbered. Crime doesn’t pay. You have two options: desist and accept salvation or move out of the entire Coast region. Where we are justified to use our firearms, we will not hesitate,” Nuno said

He added in Swahili: “Nikikupata na panga ukiumiza mtu, nakupiga risasi, hatutacheka na mtu. These are lethal weapons capable of killing. Nimepeana amri ya kutosha, maafisa watumie silaha yao na hao vijana waangushwe”

The directive has since sparked debate over the balance between restoring security and upholding constitutional protections in the fight against crime