Nairobi, July 9, 2025 — President William Ruto is facing a growing storm of criticism following remarks made on Monday, July 8, during the commissioning of a police housing project in Kilimani, Nairobi. In a fiery speech, the president directed security forces to shoot protesters involved in looting and destruction of property — but specifically in the legs, not to kill.
“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 said. “We must protect lives and property. Destroying people’s property is not right.”
The statement, which was broadcast live and widely circulated on social media, has triggered an immediate backlash from human rights organizations, legal experts, and opposition leaders who see it as an alarming normalization of police brutality in a country already grappling with deep concerns over state violence.
A Tense National Backdrop
Ruto’s comments come in the wake of sustained nationwide protests that have seen thousands of Gen Z-led demonstrators take to the streets over the last month. Initially sparked by public outrage over the death of activist and blogger Albert Ojwang while in police custody, the protests have expanded to encompass wider frustrations over economic hardship, corruption, and perceived government impunity.
On July 7, more than 30 people were killed in what has been described as one of Kenya’s deadliest police crackdowns in recent years. Multiple verified videos showed police officers firing live ammunition at unarmed civilians. Despite mounting criticism from both local and international human rights organizations, the government has continued to double down on a hardline approach.
Ruto Aligns with Murkomen’s “Shoot on Sight” Mentality
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen had earlier sparked controversy by urging police to “shoot on sight” any protester attempting to breach police stations or destroy public property. Legal experts, including the Law Society of Kenya, condemned the order as unconstitutional and illegal under both domestic and international human rights law.
Rather than distance himself from Murkomen’s stance, President Ruto appeared to reinforce it — albeit with a call for non-lethal targeting. However, the distinction offers little comfort to critics.
“The Constitution is clear: the right to life is inviolable. You cannot give police a blank cheque to cripple citizens,” said human rights lawyer Muthoni Wanjiku. “Whether you shoot to kill or shoot to injure, both are excessive when dealing with peaceful protesters.”
Political Leaders and Civil Society React
Opposition leaders quickly condemned the president’s remarks. Azimio coalition spokesperson Makau Mutua called the directive “a license for state-sponsored mutilation,” warning that such rhetoric could embolden rogue officers and escalate violence.
Civil society organizations have also expressed alarm. The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) issued a strongly worded statement accusing the government of violating constitutional protections and international obligations. “This is a shocking endorsement of brutality and an abandonment of democratic policing,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, youth protest organizers say the president’s comments will only inflame tensions further.
A Dangerous Precedent?
President Ruto’s “shoot them in the leg” directive has ignited a national debate over the use of force, civil liberties, and the boundaries of presidential authority. Legal analysts warn that such instructions may breach multiple provisions of the Kenyan Constitution and international law, including the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms.
Questions are now being raised about whether the president’s remarks amount to incitement or unlawful command. There are growing calls for oversight institutions, including the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Judiciary, to intervene and provide clear guidance on the matter.
What Next?
As the country braces for more protests, President Ruto’s hardline stance could mark a turning point in Kenya’s democratic trajectory. With no signs of retreat from the youth movement and continued dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the crisis, the coming weeks will be critical in shaping both public perception and political legitimacy.
Whether intended to deter violence or assert control, the president’s latest remarks have opened a new chapter in an already volatile national moment — one that may leave deep and lasting scars.
