President Ruto Defends His Previous “Shoot-In-The-Leg” Order

President William Ruto has staunchly defended his controversial instruction for police to shoot protesters targeting key government installations, maintaining that the directive was necessary to uphold law and order and protect the lives of citizens.

In an interview published by Al Jazeera on Sunday, the President directly addressed accusations that his administration is using the police to suppress legitimate dissent, insisting that security agencies are acting strictly within legal bounds.

“I do not regret those comments at all because the law allows the police to use force when other people’s lives are in danger,” President Ruto stated. “The police know what they need to do and understand what is in their purview.”

Upholding Public Safety

The President clarified that his stance aimed to balance two constitutional rights: the right of citizens to protest peacefully, and the right of ordinary Kenyans to have their lives and property protected.

Ruto also insisted that his comments were not executive orders but rather an expression of his commitment to public safety, emphasizing the independence of the National Police Service (NPS).

“The police are independent, and there is nowhere in the law where I have the power to direct the police,” he asserted, pushing back against claims that he micro-manages security operations.

Accountability for Rogue Officers

When pressed on recent cases of alleged police misconduct and excessive force, including the reported death of activist Albert Ojawang’, President Ruto reiterated his government’s dedication to internal discipline and accountability.

“We have thousands of police officers, and you cannot miss a rogue one. That is why we have laws to deal with such elements. We will continue to make sure that the majority of the police know what to do,” he added, acknowledging the necessity of prosecuting officers who violate protocols.

Finally, addressing local media criticism that has labelled his administration as “rogue,” the President maintained that the press enjoys full freedom of expression, even when he disagrees with their commentary.