William Ruto Orders Police to Shoot Goons Looting Businesses: "Apigwe Risasi Miguu"
- On Wednesday, July 9, President William Ruto issued firm instructions to the National Police Service (NPS) officers
- Speaking in Kilimani, the president strongly warned youths who have been looting businesses during demonstrations and also sent a message to his critics
- Police have been under scrutiny over brutality, with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) revealing the huge number of people killed during recent Saba Saba protests
- Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, human rights lawyer David Mwangi warned Ruto’s directive risks blurring lines between law enforcement and abuse
Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nairobi - President William Ruto has ordered National Police Service (NPS) officers to deal firmly with goons who are destroying property during protests.
Source: Facebook
Recent nationwide protests left many businesspeople counting losses due to looting and vandalism.
Speaking exclusively to TUKO.co.ke, a Nairobi-based human rights lawyer and governance expert, David Mwangi, warned that President Ruto’s directive could blur the line between lawful enforcement and abuse of power, especially in light of previous cases of police brutality.
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“Authorising police to use firearms against civilians, even with the caveat to ‘shoot in the legs’, creates a dangerous precedent. It places too much discretion in the hands of officers who may already feel emboldened to use excessive force, and history has shown us how quickly such situations escalate beyond control,” Mwangi said.
Did William Ruto order police to shoot criminals?
At the same time, police officers have been on the spot for using excessive force in dealing with protesters.
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, 31 people were shot dead during the July 7 Saba Saba protests.
On Wednesday, July 9, the president backed the police for firmly dealing with goons during protests.
The head of state ordered the police to shoot anyone found looting or vandalising other people's businesses.
Ruto was quick to point out that police should only shoot goons to immobilise them and take them to the hospital before they are arraigned in court to face charges.
"We want peace and people to carry on with their businesses. But someone who destroys and torches other people's businesses should be shot in the legs and taken to the hospital before being arraigned in court.
"We shall not tolerate that nonsense. I want to say, police should not shoot Kenyans to kill, but criminals who have looted businesses should be dealt with," the president declared.
The head of state further warned leaders who have been sponsoring violence across the country, saying they will not go scot-free.
Ruto warned that anyone found attacking police officers or any police station will be dealt with firmly by the security agencies.
“We are coming after you, you cannot sponsor violence in the Republic of Kenya and expect to go scot free. Nimewavumilia ya kutosha, sasa mtanikoma. Anyone who attack police or police stations is a declaration of war to the state, we shall deal with you firmly," the president added.
How did leaders react to Ruto's new orders?
The president's directive recieved instant condemnation from opposition leaders led by former deputy deputy Rigathi Gachagua, who accused him of harbouring vengeance against the youth.
Gchagua claimed the head of state was on a mission to silence dissenting voices using the police instead of listening to the grievances of Kenyans, particularly Gen Zs, who have been leading protests.
Church leaders at All Saints Cathedral also took issue with the president's directive, saying it could be easily abused by rogue police officers who have been shooting at protesters.
Since June last year, over 100 people have been shot and killed during demonstrations and over 1000 injured, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
At least 63 Kenyans were killed in the first Gen Z protests of June 25, 2024. During the first Anniversary protests (June 25, 2025), 19 protesters were shot and killed by the police.
During Saba Saba demonstrations of July 7, the KNCHR said 31 people were killed and over 100 left with injuries.
Source: Getty Images
Did Kipchumba Murkomen issue shoot-to-kill orders?
Remarks by the president came a few weeks after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen seemingly issued shoot-to-kill orders to the police.
The CS declared that his orders were meant for criminals who attempt to attack police stations, remarks that have escalated fears over state repression amid growing dissent.
Speaking on Thursday, June 26, just a day after nationwide protests rocked major towns during the June 25 anniversary demonstrations, the Interior CS strongly defended the police on how they handled the protesters.
Murkomen's remarks appeared to refer to the storming of police stations and government buildings during protests.
However, his remarks were heavily criticised by several leaders, including ODM leader Raila Odinga, who termed them reckless.
The veteran opposition leader said police have no authority to kill protesters.
Masolo Mabonga, HOD Current Affairs and Politics, updated this article with details on how leaders reacted to Ruto's new orders to police.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
