Kenyan President William Ruto has defended his order for police to shoot at protesters’ legs, insisting he has no regrets and that the law permits the use of force to protect lives.
Kenyan President William Ruto has said he has no regrets ordering police to shoot at the legs of protesters, according to Al Jazeera reporting. The president made the statement during an interview on Sunday when asked about the controversial directive.
“I do not regret those comments at all because the law allows the police to use force when other people’s lives are in danger. The police know what they need to do and understand what is in their purview,” Mr Ruto said.
The remarks follow a July incident when Mr Ruto instructed police to target protesters’ legs, days after nationwide unrest commemorating Saba Saba Day left at least 10 people dead and 29 others injured.
Protests under Mr Ruto’s administration have intensified since the anti-Finance Bill demonstrations of 2024, which reportedly claimed about 60 lives. The Finance Bill, which proposed tax increases, sparked public outrage and months of deadly demonstrations, during which youths demanded the president’s resignation.
Analysts say Mr Ruto’s popularity has declined amid these recurring clashes with demonstrators, highlighting ongoing tension between the government and civil society over security measures and the use of force against protesters.