Ruto’s Protest Remarks Spark Controversy “Don’t Kill Them, Shoot the Legs”

President William Ruto addresses the public during the commissioning of Kilimani Police Station, where his remarks on handling violent protesters stirred national debate.

President William Ruto’s recent remarks directing police to “shoot protesters in the legs instead of killing them” has ignited a storm of debate across the country, deepening concerns over the state’s response to growing civil unrest.

Speaking during the commissioning of the newly built Kilimani Police Station, Ruto condemned recent acts of vandalism and violence witnessed during anti-government demonstrations, but sparked alarm with his directive to security forces. “Don’t kill them… shoot them in the legs if they are looting or destroying property,” Ruto said, addressing uniformed officers. “Let them go to hospital and from there to court.”

His comments come just days after deadly clashes between police and demonstrators left at least 31 people dead and over 100 injured across more than 15 counties, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. The protests, largely led by youth under the Gen Z banner, have shaken the country and drawn international attention.

While the president insisted that police must act against lawlessness and what he termed “urban terrorism” targeting police stations, many viewed his comments as a green light for further violence against civilians.

The unrest has been building for weeks, triggered initially by frustrations over the Finance Bill 2024, and compounded by a wider discontent over corruption, unemployment, and the rising cost of living. The protests intensified following the death of young activist Albert Ojwang in police custody, a case that galvanized public outrage.

As protest videos flood social media, scenes of tear gas, gunfire, and abductions have become the norm. Human rights organizations, both local and international, have accused the government of unleashing excessive and lethal force on largely unarmed demonstrators.

Ruto’s remarks have drawn swift backlash from civil society groups, legal experts, and opposition leaders who argue that the president is endorsing brutality rather than de-escalation. “A president should not instruct officers to maim citizens. This is unconstitutional and deeply dangerous,” said one Nairobi-based human rights lawyer.

Even among those not participating in the protests, many are worried about the precedent such statements set in a democracy. The Law Society of Kenya and Amnesty International have both demanded an immediate retraction of the president’s remarks and a commitment to uphold constitutional policing.

With protests showing no signs of slowing, and public trust in the police at an all-time low, the government faces mounting pressure to chart a new path one that listens, not shoots. Ruto’s remarks may have been intended to send a tough message to lawbreakers, but to many Kenyans, it landed as a chilling threat to their right to dissent.

As the world watches, Kenya stands at a crossroads between dialogue and repression, between democracy and control.

Reporting by: Kelvin Ng’ang’a
Thika, Kenya – July 9, 2025