Nyali Member of Parliament, Mohammed Ali, has criticized his Belgut counterpart, Nelson Koech, after he called for the use of deadly force against violent protestors.
In a statement on Friday, July 11, Ali said that calling for extreme force by law enforcement agencies only fuels more unnecessary violence.
The UDA MP called on leaders to refrain from encouraging the police to act in ways that could lead to more chaos in the country.
“Shocked by the remarks made by MP Nelson Koech endorsing a 'shoot to kill order' against anti-government protesters. Advocating for the use of extreme force by police only fans the flames of unnecessary violence that risk eroding the respect for human life and dignity,” said Ali.
“Kenyans, especially leaders, must refrain from setting police on a path that will plunge the country into further mayhem and lawlessness.”
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At the same time, Ali called on the police to act with self-control and responsibility, especially when dealing with the public.
He warned officers that they would personally face consequences for human rights violations in court
“I urge the Police to exercise restraint and honor their responsibility to protect and safeguard the lives of Kenyans and to remember that they alone will be held accountable for their actions when matters of human rights violations are brought before the court,” the Nyali MP added.
On Thursday, Koech, while speaking in Kericho, insisted that law enforcement officers must not hesitate to kill if their lives or the lives of citizens are in danger.
"President William Ruto said shoot but do not kill; I want to repeat it here, in fact, shoot and kill. You cannot have someone coming after your life, and you do not want to shoot and kill.
"You cannot have someone who is going to terrorize you and your family, and you are telling me you cannot shoot and kill. You cannot have someone who is coming after your business, armed with weapons, and you want to tell me that you cannot shoot and kill," he said.
