President William Ruto has stood by his controversial remarks directing police to “shoot protesters in the leg” during the anti-government demonstrations that rocked Kenya in mid-2025. Speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera, the President maintained that his comments were consistent with the law, which permits the use of reasonable force when public safety is threatened.
“I don’t regret those comments at all because the law allows police to use force when other people’s lives are in danger,” Ruto said, referring to the July 9 protests that left at least 65 people dead. He argued that the demonstrations included both genuine protesters and “criminal elements” who engaged in looting and destruction of property.
“The public said these were not protests this was looting and criminality. The police had to strike a balance between handling violent offenders and managing peaceful demonstrators,” he added.
Ruto’s original remarks, made during the commissioning of a police housing project in Nairobi’s Kilimani area, drew widespread criticism from human rights groups. He had urged officers to “shoot and maim” violent protesters, saying: “Anyone who burns down someone else’s property should be shot in the leg and taken to hospital as they head to court. Destroying people’s livelihoods is not right.”
In the Al Jazeera interview, the President clarified that his statement was not a direct order to law enforcement. “The police know what they need to do. They are independent and operate within their mandate,” he said, emphasizing that his administration had ensured the police service functions autonomously.
Ruto also dismissed claims of government interference with media coverage of the protests, citing critical headlines as evidence of a free press. “The media is independent in Kenya. They write all manner of things some true, some false. Ultimately, Kenyans will judge for themselves,” he noted.
Addressing concerns about police misconduct, Ruto said officers implicated in the death of blogger Albert Ojwang while in custody had been arrested and prosecuted. “We have a police force of 110,000; you will not miss rogue elements. When we identify them, we deal with them,” he said.
The President further rejected allegations by human rights organizations that over 80 critics and protesters disappeared between 2024 and 2025, asserting that his administration had ended extrajudicial killings. “I have told those making such claims to come forward with names and evidence. There are no executions under my government,” he insisted.
Ruto also defended his record on governance, pointing to achievements in job creation, education, healthcare, and the fight against corruption. He highlighted the passage of the Conflict of Interest Bill, which bars public officers from doing business with the government, as a major step toward accountability.
“I signed the law to stop public officials from trading with government. I have also appointed more judges than any other president in three years to strengthen the judiciary’s capacity to deal with corruption,” Ruto said.
