Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has condemned recent remarks by President William Ruto authorizing police officers to shoot individuals vandalizing property during protests.
In a statement released on Friday, July 11, Odinga referred to the directive as a dangerous departure from the rule of law and warned against granting law enforcement illegitimate and deadly powers over citizens, especially during times of civil unrest.
The former Prime Minister urged the state to uphold due process and resist the temptation to bypass constitutional protections even when dealing with suspected offenders.
“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 stated.
Odinga stressed the importance of preserving suspects’ rights and avoiding extrajudicial measures, advising law enforcers to prioritize arrests and arraignment over killing.
“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.
Odinga finally urged the government to abandon the militarized approach to policing, noting that such methods have only escalated violence in other countries across the continent.
“A militarized approach to policing endangers both the suspect and the law enforcement officers,” he affirmed.
His statement comes in the wake of Ruto’s regime advocating for police officers to use their firearms to decisively deal with rioters.
On Wednesday, a vexed President Ruto told officers to shoot in the leg anyone caught looting during the protests.
“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.
His remarks followed 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.
“Anyone who gets near a police station, shoot them. Why should someone who wants to steal firearms be spared? Firearms are not doughnuts!” Murkomen warned.
Belgut MP Nelson Koech, who chairs the National Assembly Defence committee, escalated the issue when he called for a shoot-to-kill order on violent protesters.
“I want to thank President William Ruto for saying yesterday shoot but do not kill. I want to repeat it here. In fact, shoot and kill. You cannot have someone coming after your life and you do not want to shoot and kill,” Koech stated.
