 "Riot police patrol on a road covered with rocks, during demonstrations to mark the historic 1990 Saba Saba (a Swahili word that means seven seven) protests for democratic reforms in the Kangemi slum of Nairobi, Kenya, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo)")
Kenyan President William Ruto on Wednesday said police should shoot protesters in the leg to incapacitate them if they are found vandalising businesses, days after 31 people were killed during anti-government demonstrations.
“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 in a speech. “They shouldn’t kill the person but they should hit the legs to break them.”
His remarks follow violent protests on Monday in Nairobi and across 17 of Kenya’s 47 counties, during which police used tear gas, water cannon and live ammunition to disperse crowds. Looting and arson targeted supermarkets, businesses and hospitals.
The demonstrations were sparked by the death of a blogger in police custody last month and further escalated after a civilian was shot at close range by police during protests. A total of 50 people have died in the past two weeks during two waves of demonstrations.
On Monday, police erected roadblocks on all roads leading to the city center in the capital, Nairobi, blocking motorists and pedestrians deemed not to be in essential work. Police clashed with protesters on the outskirts of the city and in 17 of 47 counties across the country, leaving 31 people dead and more than 100 injured. More than 500 others were arrested.
Ruto on Wednesday claimed the discontent was politically motivated and said that he would not allow destruction of property.
“You can call me whatever names you want to call me, but I will make sure there is peace and stability in Kenya by all means,” Ruto said.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsUN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk on Tuesday urged the Kenyan government to address the root causes of the unrest. Civil society groups have also called for restraint by police.
Five officers have been charged in connection with the blogger’s death and the close-range shooting. Deputy police inspector general Eliud Langat, who had complained about the blogger’s posts accusing him of corruption, has stepped aside pending investigation.
With inputs from agencies