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What is Raila Odinga’s response to Ruto’s police orders?
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has sharply criticised President William Ruto’s recent directive encouraging police to shoot protesters in the leg during demonstrations that turn violent. In a strongly worded statement released Friday, the ODM leader condemned the use of excessive force and warned that such orders threaten citizens’ constitutional rights.
“As a country, we must at all times opt for the Rule of Law and due process and reject the temptation to give police illegitimate and deadly powers over citizens even when the citizens are perceived to have broken the law,” Raila said.
He emphasized that suspects must be considered innocent until proven guilty by a competent court, urging the government to prioritize legal procedures over violent enforcement tactics. “Let’s prioritize arrests and arraignment in courts over killing, maiming or brutalizing of suspects,” he added.
Why does Raila oppose a militarized approach?
Raila cautioned against militarizing policing in Kenya, warning it would escalate tensions and endanger both civilians and law enforcement officers. “Examples from around the continent show that such an approach only increases the risk of violence,” he said. “A militarised approach to policing endangers both the suspect and the law enforcement officers.”
His remarks followed a week of heightened tension as state authorities appeared to double down on aggressive policing in response to protests fueled by economic frustrations and anti-government sentiment.
What sparked the public outcry?
President Ruto, during a public address on Wednesday, ordered police to shoot looters in the leg rather than kill them. “Anyone who burns down someone else’s business and property, let them be shot in the leg and go to the hospital as they head to court. Yes, let them not kill, but shoot and break the legs. Destroying people’s property is not right,” he said.
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen intensified the rhetoric by telling officers, “Anyone who gets near a police station, shoot them. Why should someone who wants to steal firearms be spared? Firearms are not doughnuts!”
Belgut MP Nelson Koech, chair of the National Assembly Defence Committee, went even further, saying, “I want to thank President William Ruto for saying yesterday, shoot but do not kill. I want to repeat it here. In fact, shoot and kill.”
By Lucky Anyanje
