Ruto Orders Police to Avoid Lethal Force, But Approves Shooting Protesters in the Leg

Nairobi, Kenya — President William Ruto has directed police officers to refrain from using lethal force on protesters, instead instructing them to shoot in the leg anyone found destroying or burning businesses during demonstrations.

Speaking in Nairobi on Wednesday, the President addressed mounting criticism over police brutality during recent anti-government protests, which have been condemned by international human rights bodies including the UN Human Rights Office and Human Rights Watch.

“We want peace in Kenya, and we want businesses to thrive,” Ruto said. “So anyone burning people’s businesses should be shot in the legs—so that he can go to hospital and later face justice in court. They should not be killed.”

The President's remarks come days after the deadly Saba Saba Day protests on July 7, during which over 30 demonstrators were reportedly killed by police. The demonstrations, led largely by Gen Z youth, have called for government accountability, an end to corruption, and urgent economic reforms.

Ruto’s new directive marks a shift in tone following an earlier, more aggressive stance taken by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen. Last week, Murkomen ordered police to use deadly force against demonstrators who approach them.

“Don’t spare them. What is the work of the guns issued to you?” Murkomen asked during a public address. “Shoot and kill them. And this is an order from above—not just from me.”

Murkomen’s comments drew widespread condemnation from civil society groups, religious leaders, and international observers, who warned of escalating authoritarianism and abuse of state power.

In response to the ongoing protests, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has documented dozens of deaths, injuries, abductions, and unlawful arrests since demonstrations began in June.

While President Ruto’s latest statement appears to soften the government’s approach, rights groups have raised concerns about the legality and ethics of instructing police to shoot civilians—even in the leg.

“This is not how policing should work in a democratic society,” said one rights advocate. “The focus should be on de-escalation and lawful arrests, not on intentionally wounding citizens.”

Human rights organizations continue to call for independent investigations into all reported killings and abuses, urging the government to ensure justice and accountability.

As Kenya grapples with a wave of youth-led political activism and growing discontent, the government's response in the coming weeks may prove critical in determining the country's democratic trajectory.