In the wake of public protests and civil unrest across the country, the suggestion—both implied and explicit—that police should resort to lethal force against citizens suspected of looting or vandalism has ignited urgent debate about the role of law enforcement in a democracy.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga has stepped forward to condemn such directives, warning that they not only violate the Constitution but also undermine the very foundation of justice and accountability that Kenya claims to uphold.
“In a protest or any other environment that requires law enforcement, all the above orders to shoot to kill, maim, disorient, or shock citizens are wrong,” Raila stated on Friday.
He is right—and here’s why.
At the heart of Raila’s argument is a simple but profound truth: no citizen should be judged, sentenced, and executed by the barrel of a gun.
The Constitution is clear: everyone is innocent until proven guilty, and guilt can only be determined through a competent court of law, not a roadside verdict by an armed officer.
We cannot afford to normalize a militarized style of policing, especially in moments of tension and political unrest. Kenya has seen what unchecked power can do. Granting security forces the discretion to kill in the name of order risks opening the door to impunity and grave human rights violations.
Yes, looting and destruction of property are crimes. Yes, protesters must remain peaceful and accountable. But the remedy for lawlessness cannot be more lawlessness—especially from the State.
As Raila rightly argues, arrests, due process, and proper arraignment in court are the paths to justice. Killing suspects on sight only adds to public anger, fear, and instability.
History shows that excessive use of force does not restore order—it deepens divisions. It turns law enforcers into lawbreakers and chips away at public trust in institutions meant to serve and protect.
Kenya must look no further than other African nations where militarized policing has created cycles of unrest, trauma, and dictatorship. Once you cross the line from enforcement to extermination, it is hard to go back. Violence begets more violence, and the democratic space shrinks.
The police must remain apolitical, professional, and restrained, especially when emotions are running high. Their mandate is to protect both lives and property—not to choose between the two.
As Raila’s statement emphasizes, this is a moment of reckoning for the country’s leadership. Will we cling to the ideals of the Constitution—human dignity, equality, freedom, and the rule of law—or will we drift toward a culture of sanctioned brutality?
Public anger may flare, institutions may be tested, and streets may grow restless—but our commitment to justice through law, not force, must never waver.
Raila’s call is not just a political statement; it is a moral challenge to every Kenyan who believes in a better, more democratic future.
