Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has reacted to President William Ruto’s directive to police officers to shoot protesters in the legs.
While criticizing the order, Raila described the approach as a dangerous drift toward the militarisation of policing and a violation of fundamental rights.
“shoot to kill, maim, disorient or shock” citizens during protests, warning that such directives undermine the rule of law and the constitutional rights of Kenyans.
“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 in a statement.
He cautioned against giving law enforcement agencies “illegitimate and deadly powers” over citizens, even when they are suspected of breaking the law and urged the government to uphold due process and human dignity.
“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,” he added.
Raila called on the state to prioritise arrests and arraignments over acts of violence by security agencies, stressing that suspects must be handled in a manner that respects their rights and preserves the credibility of the State.
“Let’s prioritise arrests and arraignment in courts over killing, maiming or brutalising of suspects,” he stated.
The ODM leader further warned that a militarised approach to policing only escalates violence, drawing parallels with failed strategies across the continent.
“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,” he said.
His remarks come at a time police have killed over 31 people during Saba Saba demonstrations earlier this week.
