President William Ruto has stood firm on his past remarks directing police to shoot violent protesters in the leg.
In an interview with Al Jazeera on Sunday, November 9, he dismissed claims that his comments were excessive, maintaining that law enforcement officers have the legal authority to use force when necessary.
The Head of State noted that he had no regrets about making the controversial statement and defended the police’s actions as both lawful and independent.
“I don’t regret those comments at all, because the law allows the police to use force when other people’s lives are in danger. I think the police know what they need to do. And the police, by the way, understand that it is within their purview.
“That is why when I came into office, I ensured that the police was independent. The police carried out their responsibilities independently,” he said.
Ruto went on to explain that while he respects the right to peaceful protest, recent demonstrations had often been infiltrated by criminals who used them as cover to engage in looting and destruction of property.
He said the police were forced to strike a balance between managing legitimate protesters and confronting those committing crimes.
“There are many aspects of that protest. There are people who genuinely are there to express their opinions, you know, different opinions, but there are also criminal elements. People who come to burn down buildings, destroy properties, steal from all manner of places, supermarkets, and many of those.
“And the public itself went up in arms because they said, ‘these are not protests, this is looting, this is criminality.’ The police have had to balance between dealing with violent criminals on one end and also managing protests,” he added.
Back in July, Ruto directed police officers to shoot in the legs anyone found torching or destroying businesses.
Speaking on Wednesday, July 9, he said that while officers should not use lethal force against ordinary citizens, those who deliberately set out to destroy other people’s livelihoods must be stopped with decisive action.
“Someone who goes to burn another person’s business; someone who takes fire and goes to destroy another person’s livelihood should be shot in the legs, taken to the hospital, and then taken to court,” he said.
Ruto insisted that the intention is not to kill, but to disable and apprehend suspects to face legal consequences.
“They should not be killed, but their legs should be broken so they go to the hospital, and afterward they should be taken to court. Police should not shoot and kill ordinary citizens. But criminals, someone who has made it their mission to destroy another person’s business, should be dealt with,” he added.
Notably, Ruto’s remarks came barely two weeks after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen was forced to clarify his ‘shoot to kill’ remarks.
Speaking in Kitui County on Friday, June 27, the CS stated that the police were required to follow the law when using their firearms.
Murkomen explained that the order was only meant to apply in instances when the police are under attack and have to defend themselves.
“We have not said that they should use it recklessly. We are just trying to protect the officers whose lives are in danger, and they are being told that they should not use the guns because they will be charged. If that officer dies, how will the officer be charged?” he posed.
Murkomen had stated that police need to shoot and kill those who approach police stations during protests.
This was after some stations were vandalised and attacked by unknown individuals during protests.
“We have told the police to shoot anyone who comes near a police station,” he said.
