Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has issued a strong condemnation of President William Ruto’s recent directive to police officers to “shoot in the leg” protesters found vandalising property, warning that such orders reflect a dangerous shift toward the militarisation of law enforcement and violate Kenya’s Constitution.
In a detailed statement released on Thursday, Raila Odinga called out what he termed “illegitimate and deadly powers” being granted to police officers under the guise of protest control, insisting that the state must respect the rule of law even when dealing with lawbreakers.
In a protest or any other environment that requires law enforcement, all the above orders—shoot to kill, maim, disorient or shock citizens—are wrong,” Raila said.
The ODM leader emphasised that law enforcement must operate within legal frameworks and uphold human rights regardless of the circumstances. He warned that Kenya was treading a dangerous path by normalising extrajudicial responses to civil unrest.
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,” he said.
Raila reiterated the constitutional principle of innocent until proven guilty, stressing that only a competent court of law has the power to determine guilt or innocence.
We are all better served as a country when we stick to the principle that everyone is innocent until proven guilty—a determination that can only be made by a competent court of law. Let’s prioritise arrests and arraignment in courts over killing, maiming or brutalising of suspects,” he stated.
Militarised Policing ‘Breeds More Violence’
Citing examples from across the African continent, Odinga warned that a militarised approach to protest management is not only counterproductive but also dangerous to both civilians and law enforcement officers.
We should do everything to avoid the militarized approach to policing. Examples from around the continent show that such an approach only increases the risk of violence. A militarized approach to policing endangers both the suspect and the law enforcement officers,” he said.
His remarks come in the wake of the Saba Saba protests, led largely by Gen Z Kenyans demanding political accountability and reforms. At least 31 people were killed during the demonstrations, and dozens more were injured, amid widespread reports of excessive police force.
President Ruto’s remarks at Kilimani Police Station sparked outrage when he directed officers not to kill protesters but to instead “shoot in the leg” those caught vandalising public property.
Don’t shoot to kill… shoot in the leg,” Ruto said—remarks critics say could be interpreted as a veiled license to harm protesters.
Interior CS Murkomen Also Under Fire
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has also come under legal and public fire after he told officers to “shoot and kill” protesters attempting to storm police stations. A petition has already been filed in court seeking to prevent him from issuing further operational directives to security forces.
Despite mounting criticism, Murkomen doubled down on his position, refusing to retract his statement during a press briefing on Thursday.
The broader opposition and civil society groups have demanded an urgent review of Kenya’s protest response framework. Amnesty International, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), and other watchdogs have reiterated that the rights to life, peaceful assembly, and due process are enshrined in the Constitution and must be upheld without exception.
As pressure intensifies on the Kenya Kwanza government to rein in security forces and ensure accountability for civilian deaths, Raila Odinga’s statements are likely to deepen the national conversation on police reform, constitutional rights, and the use of force by the state.
