Nairobi, November 10- President William Ruto has defended his July remarks instructing police to shoot protesters in the legs, insisting he has no regrets about the comments. Speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera, Ruto said the law permits police to use force when lives are at risk.
When asked why he seemed to intervene directly in police operations rather than letting officers follow established protocols, the President reiterated that officers are trained to handle dangerous situations. “I think the police know what they need to do. They understand their role, which is why I have always ensured their independence,” he said.
Ruto also clarified that, legally, he has no authority to give direct orders to the police. “There is nowhere in the law that allows me to command the police,” he noted.
The comments stem from last year, when Ruto instructed officers to incapacitate protesters attacking or burning businesses, saying they should be shot in the legs, treated in hospital, and then taken to court. He emphasised that while offenders should be punished, they should not be killed.
The protests began as a youth-led movement against a proposed tax hike but quickly escalated into wider calls for reform and even Ruto’s resignation. In response, the government withdrew the controversial Finance Bill in 2024 and Ruto reshuffled most of his Cabinet to calm tensions.
Opposition figures, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, have criticised the government for alleged use of excessive force, while Ruto’s allies have accused Gachagua of funding the protests, claims he denies. Human rights organisations continue to demand transparency and accountability in the handling of public demonstrations, keeping the debate around Ruto’s comments and government actions alive in Kenya’s political discourse.
