President William Ruto has ordered security forces to adopt a controversial approach to curb rising protest-related violence.
He instructed police to “shoot in the leg” anyone found vandalizing businesses during demonstrations, intending to incapacitate rather than kill offenders. The directive, given at a police station inauguration, comes after nationwide unrest left at least 31 people dead during the recent Saba Saba protests .
Ruto emphasized: “Anyone who goes to burn other people’s property… should be shot in the leg, and go to the hospital on his way to court.” He clarified his aim is to disable, not kill.
The protests escalated following the death of a political blogger in police custody, drawing thousands—especially young adults—into the streets, fueled by anger over Kenya’s high living costs, police brutality, and corruption. In response, government officials, including Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen, have labeled the unrest an attempted coup led by “criminal anarchists”.
While the president labeled the protesters as “terrorists” and declared their actions a “war” against the nation, civil society and human rights groups warned that such violent rhetoric and tactics risk fueling further violence and undermining due process .