President William Ruto has ignited fresh controversy after directing police officers to shoot protesters in the legs if they are caught looting or vandalizing property during demonstrations. The president made the remarks on Wednesday during the commissioning of a police housing project in Nairobi’s Kilimani area, urging officers to break the legs of violent demonstrators rather than kill them.
“Anyone who burns down someone else’s business and property, let them be shot in the leg and go to the hospital as they head to court,” Ruto declared. “Yes, let them not kill, but shoot and break the legs.”
His remarks come amid rising tensions in Kenya, where widespread youth-led protests have rocked the country in recent weeks. The demonstrations, largely sparked by public anger over the now-withdrawn Finance Bill 2024, have resulted in numerous deaths, injuries, and reports of enforced disappearances. Human rights organizations have condemned the government for the heavy-handed police response.
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, at least 31 protesters have been killed and over 100 injured in recent demonstrations. Amnesty International Kenya reported 16 deaths during the June 25 protests alone, most allegedly caused by police gunfire.
While condemning looting and vandalism, Ruto accused unnamed political leaders of funding the unrest and inciting youth into violence. He further warned that attacks on police stations and officers would be treated as acts of terrorism, citing the torching of at least five police stations and attacks on government buildings during the recent protests.
The president’s statement echoes a similar order from Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who last month told police to shoot anyone approaching police stations. “Mtu yeyote atakaribia police station piga yeye risasi,” Murkomen said. “Bunduki sio mandazi!”
Critics argue that such directives risk encouraging further police brutality and violating constitutional rights. Civil society groups and opposition leaders have called on the government to de-escalate the situation and engage the youth through dialogue rather than force.
As Kenya grapples with growing unrest, the government’s response appears to be hardening, with its top leadership signaling a zero-tolerance approach to protests raising alarm over the state of human rights and civil liberties in the country.
