Kenyan President William Ruto has issued a controversial directive to police, instructing them to shoot protesters in the legs if they are found targeting or looting businesses. The president emphasized that the aim is to incapacitate, not to kill.
The order, delivered during a public address on Tuesday, comes amid ongoing anti-government protests that have seen shops burned, businesses ransacked, and increasing calls for political accountability.
“I have told the police, don’t allow criminals to burn people’s businesses. If they must be stopped, shoot them in the legs not to kill, but to immobilize them,” said President Ruto.
Over the past two weeks, Kenya has witnessed massive youth-led demonstrations, largely fueled by public frustration over proposed tax hikes, high unemployment, and perceptions of government mismanagement. While some protests have remained peaceful, others have turned violent, with at least 30 people reportedly killed by police and dozens more injured.
The president’s order may further inflame tensions, as critics accuse his government of militarizing civil dissent instead of addressing the root causes of public discontent.
