RAILA CASTIGATES PRESIDENT RUTO OVER HIS SHOOTING DECREE

Opposition leader Raila Odinga has issued a scathing rebuke of President William Ruto’s recent directive allowing police to shoot protesters, warning that the move undermines the rule of law and sets a dangerous precedent for law enforcement in Kenya.

Odinga’s statement came just days after President Ruto, while addressing a public forum on Wednesday, called on police to shoot individuals found destroying property during demonstrations — specifically targeting their legs to incapacitate them.

“Anyone who goes to burn other people’s property, someone like that should be shot in the leg, and go to the hospital on his way to court,” Ruto said. “They shouldn’t kill the person but they should hit the legs to break them.”

The remarks have ignited national and international concern, especially following deadly protests earlier in the week that saw at least 31 people killed in clashes between demonstrators and security forces. Protesters, mostly young Kenyans, have taken to the streets to express frustration over rising living costs, alleged state corruption, and police violence. Tensions escalated further after a political blogger reportedly died in police custody — an incident that has added fuel to the already charged atmosphere.

On Monday, the situation worsened as demonstrators clashed with heavily armed police in Nairobi and other cities. Roads were barricaded, and security forces deployed tear gas, water cannons, and live rounds to disperse crowds.

In a statement released Friday titled “Shoot to Kill/Maim/Shock Orders to Police”, Odinga condemned the president’s instructions, describing them as unconstitutional and morally unacceptable.

“In a protest or any other environment that requires law enforcement, all the above orders—shoot to kill, maim, disorient or shock citizens—are wrong,” Odinga wrote.

He insisted that Kenya must remain committed to legal channels in handling civil unrest, regardless of how provocative or chaotic the protests become.

“As a country, we must at all times opt for the Rule of Law and due process and reject the temptation to give police illegitimate and deadly powers over citizens even when the citizens are perceived to have broken the law,” he stated.

Odinga stressed that the principle of presumption of innocence must remain at the core of the justice system.

“We are all better served as a country when we stick to the principle that everyone is innocent until proven guilty; a determination that can only be made by a competent court of law,” he added.

Calling for restraint, the former Prime Minister urged the government to focus on arrests and due process rather than brute force.

“Let’s prioritise arrests and arraignment in courts over killing, maiming or brutalising of suspects. This preserves the dignity and respects the human rights of suspects while at the same time confers credibility to the actions of the State.”

Odinga further warned that militarising the police response to protests could spiral into greater violence and jeopardize both civilians and officers.

“As a country, we should do everything to avoid the militarised approach to policing. Examples from around the continent show that such an approach only increases risk of violence,” he cautioned. “A militarised approach to policing endangers both the suspect and the law enforcement officers.”

President Ruto’s handling of the protests has drawn growing condemnation, with rights groups, civil society, and political leaders calling for accountability and the protection of civil liberties.

Odinga’s strongly worded message adds to the pressure on the government to abandon heavy-handed tactics and instead uphold constitutional values during times of national crisis.