Kenya’s President William Ruto has issued a forceful statement in response to the recent wave of anti-government protests that have rocked the nation, leaving at least 50 people dead over two weeks.
Breaking his silence on Wednesday, Ruto directed police to use brutal force against those involved in the destruction of property, declaring that “anyone going to burn people’s property should be shot in the leg, be hospitalized and later taken to court upon recovery.”
Speaking during a tour of a housing project site in Nairobi, the President added, “Do not kill them but break their leg.” The comment marked a significant escalation in rhetoric as the government attempts to quell a growing wave of discontent that erupted following the death of a blogger in police custody last month and the widely publicized close-range shooting of a protester by police during an anti-brutality demonstration.
President Ruto further asserted, “Enough is enough,” insisting he would not tolerate “anarchy” under the guise of peaceful demonstrations. He warned political opponents against what he described as attempts to destabilize the government through violent means.
The unrest reached its peak on June 25 during large-scale protests marking the first anniversary of the 2024 anti-tax demonstrations. On that day alone, 31 people were killed, over 100 injured, and 500 arrested as demonstrations swept through Nairobi and 17 of the country’s 47 counties. Protesters clashed with security forces amid roadblocks and a heavy police presence in the capital.
Violent Unrest Leaves Dozens Dead
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has called on the Kenyan government to address the root causes of the public anger that has fueled the unrest. He emphasized the need for dialogue and accountability in the wake of repeated reports of police brutality.
President Ruto, however, dismissed the protests as being driven by political motives, saying, “You can call me whatever names you want to call me, but I will make sure there is peace and stability in Kenya by all means.” He described attacks on police stations as “a declaration of war” and asserted that leadership in Kenya is determined through democratic elections, not through violence.
Civil society organizations have condemned the government’s response and urged law enforcement to exercise restraint. A prominent critic of the President’s recent remarks, lawyer and politician Mong’are Okong’o, called the statements “a reckless tragedy in waiting.”
“Has he considered the biological trauma of bullet wounds, shattered bones, severed arteries, and permanent disability? Such commands undermine due process and escalate brutality. A president should uphold life and law, not casually prescribe violence with irreversible consequences. Leadership demands wisdom, not war talk.”
Mong’are Okong’o
Meanwhile, efforts to hold security forces accountable continue. Five police officers have been charged in relation to the death of the blogger in custody and the shooting of a civilian. Deputy Police Inspector General Eliud Langat, who had filed a complaint against the deceased blogger over corruption allegations, has since stepped aside while investigations proceed.
As the country grapples with grief, anger, and division, calls for national dialogue and justice are growing louder. But with the President’s hardline stance, Kenya’s path to peace remains uncertain.
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