President William Ruto has directed police officers to shoot in the legs anyone found torching or destroying businesses.
Speaking on Wednesday, July 9, Ruto said that while officers should not use lethal force against ordinary citizens, those who deliberately set out to destroy other people's livelihoods must be stopped with decisive action.
"Someone who goes to burn another person's business; someone who takes fire and goes to destroy another person’s livelihood should be shot in the legs, taken to the hospital, and then taken to court,” he said.
Ruto insisted that the intention is not to kill, but to disable and apprehend suspects to face legal consequences.
"They should not be killed, but their legs should be broken so they go to the hospital, and afterward they should be taken to court.
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"Police should not shoot and kill ordinary citizens. But criminals, someone who has made it their mission to destroy another person’s business, should be dealt with," he added.
Ruto's remarks come barely two weeks after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen was forced to clarify his 'shoot to kill' remarks.
Speaking in Kitui County on Friday, June 27, the CS stated that the police were required to follow the law when using their firearms.
Murkomen explained that the order was only meant to apply in instances when the police are under attack and have to defend themselves.
"We have not said that they should use it recklessly. We are just trying to protect the officers whose lives are in danger, and they are being told that they should not use the guns because they will be charged. If that officer dies, how will the officer be charged?" he posed.
Murkomen had stated that police need to shoot and kill those who approach police stations during protests.
This was after some stations were vandalised and attacked by unknown individuals during the Wednesday protests.
"We have told the police to shoot anyone who comes near a police station," he said.
