Ruto Orders Police to Shoot Looters in the Leg, Labels Attacks on Stations as Terrorism

President William Ruto has issued a stern directive to police officers to shoot individuals found looting or vandalizing property during protests, but with one caveat: aim for the legs, not to kill.

Speaking Wednesday during the commissioning of a police housing project in Nairobi’s Kilimani area, Ruto told law enforcement to cripple, not execute violent demonstrators, in what is likely to fuel already heightened tensions surrounding ongoing protests across the country.

“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,” Ruto said, adding, “let them not kill, but shoot and break the legs. Destroying people’s property is not right.”

The president’s comments come as Kenya grapples with a growing wave of public unrest, largely led by young people disillusioned by the high cost of living, deepening inequality, and what they call a shrinking democratic space. In recent weeks, protests have been marred by deaths, injuries, and allegations of abductions and police brutality.

Ruto also pointed fingers at unnamed political leaders he accused of orchestrating chaos from behind the scenes. “It is leaders financing youth to carry out those acts, and we are coming after you!” he warned.

Referring to recent attacks on police stations during the June 25 anniversary protests against the 2024 Finance Bill, Ruto escalated the government’s stance, declaring such acts equivalent to terrorism.

“Those who attack our police, security installations, including police stations, are declaring war. It is terrorism, and we are going to deal with you firmly,” he said stressing that the government cannot have a nation run by terror and governed by violence. He promised not to sit and watch that happenming.

Meanwhile, civil society groups and human rights defenders have condemned the state’s heavy-handed response, citing multiple instances of live bullets being used on unarmed protesters. There have also been reports of masked ‘goons’ wielding batons and whips, allegedly deployed to infiltrate protests, attack demonstrators, and loot businesses which has become a trend that has raised serious questions about state-sanctioned violence.

As the government hardens its rhetoric, tensions on the streets continue to simmer, and the line between law enforcement and repression grows increasingly blurred.