‘Don’t kill them, shoot them in the leg,’ Ruto tells police on protest violence

President William Ruto has told police officers to shoot in the leg anyone caught looting businesses and vandalizing property during protests.

During the commissioning of a police housing project in Nairobi’s Kilimani area on Wednesday, the President told officers not to kill but “shoot and break the legs” of any violent protester.

“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. Yes, let them not kill, but shoot and break the legs. Destroying people’s property is not right,” he said.

Ruto warned unnamed political leaders he accused of inciting the youth into violence, saying, “It is leaders financing youth to carry out those acts, and we are coming after you!”

He said attacks on police officers and premises like police stations, such as those witnessed during the June 25 anti-2024 Finance Bill anniversary protests, will be treated as terrorism.

“Those who attack our police, security installations, including police stations, are declaring war. It is terrorism, and we are going to deal with you firmly. We cannot have a nation run by terror and governed by violence; it will not happen under my watch,” Ruto said.

Protests across Kenya have increased in recent months over growing public discontent against Ruto’s regime over the rising cost of living and a spate of crackdowns on government critics and street protests, many of which have resulted in deaths, injuries, and abductions.

Critics condemn police for brutality and the use of live ammunition on unarmed protesters during the youth-led demos.

At the same time, there have been concerns over the deployment of 'goons' – youth groups armed with batons and whips to attack protesters and loot businesses.

From the most recent demos on Monday, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said it recorded 31 deaths and 107 injuries.

Cases of vandalism to business premises were also recorded in several towns across at least 15 counties.

The June 25 protests left over 16 people killed, most by police, per the rights group Amnesty International Kenya.

In addition to businesses, youthful groups also attacked at least nine police stations, torching at least five, as well as courts and county government offices and vehicles.

Ruto’s Wednesday directive follows similar controversial statements by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen following the June 25 protest violence, in which he told police to shoot anyone who gets near a police station.

The CS told the police: “Anyone who gets near a police station, shoot them. Why should someone who wants to steal firearms be spared? Firearms are not doughnuts!”