🇰🇪 Kenya’s President Ruto Orders Police to Shoot Protesters in the Legs Amid Rising Death Toll
Kenya’s President William Ruto has sparked domestic and international outrage after ordering police to shoot protesters in the legs to stop property destruction without killing them.
“Don't kill them, but ensure their legs are broken,” Ruto said in a public address on Wednesday, following violent anti-government demonstrations that have left at least 31 people dead, according to the state-run Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
⚠️ Ruto Defends Police Crackdown, UN Raises Alarm
President Ruto defended the actions of security forces, framing the violent crackdown as self-defense against protestors who he claimed have “declared war” on police and national institutions. He warned:
“Kenya will not be ruled through terror, threats, or chaos.”
However, the United Nations condemned the police response as disproportionate, citing the use of lethal ammunition, and called the rising death toll “deeply troubling.”
🩸 Violence Escalates: Children Among the Dead
Among the casualties is a 12-year-old child reportedly shot while at home in Kiambu. At least 100 people were injured, and over 530 arrested across 17 counties, including Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Mombasa.
At least two hospitals were attacked during the unrest, with staff reporting harassment and theft of medical equipment.
🔥 Opposition and Civil Society Call for Action
Opposition leaders accuse Ruto’s administration of extrajudicial killings, deploying unmarked police vehicles and using armed gangs to suppress dissent.
“This regime is hostile… We will not rest. We will not retreat. We will not surrender,” the opposition declared in a joint statement.
Civil and religious groups are calling for an independent investigation into the use of force, arbitrary arrests, and damage to public property.
🧑🏽🎓 Root Causes: Youth Frustration, Economic Pressure, Blogger's Death
The protests were sparked by the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody, compounding public frustration over youth unemployment, economic hardship, and recent tax hikes.
Ruto admitted the unemployment crisis predates his administration but argued his government is the first to take “deliberate steps” to address it. Still, he questioned the intensity of criticism:
“Why cause all the chaos during my time?”
🗳️ Political Fallout: 2027 Election Looms
The protests also have a political undercurrent. The chant “Wantam” — short for “one term” — has become a rallying cry for demonstrators demanding Ruto’s exit ahead of the 2027 elections.
Ruto warned rivals against “impatience,” emphasizing that regime change must happen through elections, not the streets.