Ruto’s “Shoot to Incapacitate” Order Sparks Outrage Amid Protest Fallout

Nairobi, Kenya – July 10, 2025 – President William Ruto has come under intense fire after issuing a directive authorizing security forces to shoot protesters who vandalize property “in the leg” to incapacitate them. The remarks, made on July 9 in response to recent reports of looting during the nationwide anti-government demonstrations, have ignited a firestorm of criticism from human rights organizations, opposition leaders, and international observers alike.

The President’s statement arrives just days after the country witnessed one of the bloodiest protest crackdowns in recent memory, with at least 31 people killed and hundreds more injured or arrested. Critics argue that Ruto’s directive amounts to a dangerous normalization of violence and a green light for extrajudicial force under the guise of law enforcement.

“This is not crowd control. It’s sanctioned brutality,” said a spokesperson from the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC). “The President’s words may embolden rogue officers and erode the constitutional protections of every Kenyan citizen.”

The Kenya Medical Association has also raised red flags, warning that shots to the leg can cause life-altering injuries or death due to major artery damage. Meanwhile, opposition leaders have decried the directive as a violation of both domestic and international human rights law, calling for an immediate reversal and an independent investigation into the deaths caused by police action during the protests.

International concern has also mounted. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have both condemned the comments, urging Kenya’s government to prioritize de-escalation, dialogue, and accountability over force.

With more protests expected in the days ahead, many fear that this new policy could trigger a cycle of violence, undermine public trust in the police, and send Kenya spiraling further away from its democratic ideals.