President William Ruto’s directive to police — “just shoot them in the leg” — has drawn sharp condemnation from Kenya’s opposition leaders, who have described it as reckless, unconstitutional, and a chilling invitation to state-sponsored violence.
In the wake of rising police brutality against protestors, the President’s remarks have poured fuel on a volatile situation. Opposition figures have been quick and unequivocal in their response.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna condemned the statement as “murderous,” warning that the President is openly willing to maim his own people.
“This is not leadership. We are waiting to send him to 2027. If he doesn’t want us to reach 2027, then he himself will not reach 2027,” Sifuna declared at a Sunday meeting in Kabuchai constituency.
Kalonzo Musyoka, Wiper party leader, called on President Ruto to step down if he cannot govern without resorting to brutality.
“If you {Ruto} are overwhelmed, resign. But do not drag Kenya back into the dark days of extrajudicial terror,” he said.
Opposition leaders say the President’s words go beyond poor judgment.
Online, Kenyans have taken to skits and dance styles to mock the directive, with hashtags like #WanLegge and #RisasiYaMguu already attracting hundreds of videos and tweets.
They accuse him of issuing illegal directives, in violation of Articles 26 through 29 of the Constitution — especially the right to life, protection from torture, and freedom from cruel treatment.
What makes this moment even more alarming is its timing: the country is reeling from youth-led protests, and just days earlier, Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen had also urged police to act ruthlessly. The opposition views this as a coordinated policy of repression.
Calls for accountability are growing. Azimio-affiliated legislators have vowed to sponsor a censure motion in Parliament, while civil society groups are preparing court action, warning that such utterances could amount to incitement to violence by a sitting President.
In a nation built on protest, the opposition says Ruto’s remarks must be resisted — not normalized. The fight, they insist, is no longer about policy. It is about the survival of Kenya’s democracy.
