'Shoot in the leg': Ruto declares war on protesters, sponsors
President William Ruto.
President William Ruto has broken his silence following the violence witnessed in at least 17 counties during the Saba Saba commemoration on Monday.
In his first address on the matter, the President declared war on those responsible for the chaos, saying the government would not stand by and watch businesses and lives destroyed by thugs sponsored to cause unrest.
Speaking on Wednesday during the launch of a police housing project in Kilimani, Dagoretti North, the President said his administration would pursue those funding the violence.
“I have been silent, I have been patient with them, but enough is enough. Let me make this clear: those who attacked our police officers, those who attacked security installations including police stations, have declared war against the Republic of Kenya. It is unacceptable,” President Ruto said.
The President alleged that certain individuals, including political leaders, had been paying goons to target businesses and warned that anyone caught would face the full force of the law.
“We are coming after you. You cannot sponsor violence in Kenya and expect to go scot-free. We will use all available means to stabilise the country. We cannot allow mayhem and anarchy to destroy the development we have achieved.”
He further directed the police to shoot rioters targeting businesses in the legs ensuring they are incapacitated but not killed.
“Mtu ambaye anaenda kuchoma biashara ya mtu mwingine, mtu ambaye anachukua moto anaenda kuchoma mali ya watu wengine—mtu kama huyo apigwe risasi mguu, aende hospitali na akisha pona aende kortini. Wasimuue, lakini wampige mguu ivunjike,” Ruto said.
( “Anyone setting out to burn another person’s business or property should be shot in the leg, hospitalised, and later taken to court. Don’t kill them, but ensure their legs are broken.”)
Additionally, the President dismissed any attempts by opposition leaders to remove him from office before the 2027 elections.
“They will know that they don’t know. Let them try. This is a democratic country and those who believe they can change the government through violence or unlawful means before 2027—let them try,” he warned
On the ongoing #RutoMustGo campaign on social media, the President said he was being unfairly targeted for governing in the same way as his predecessors.
He questioned why similar unrest was not seen during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime.
“Moi was the President of Kenya, just like Kenyatta, Kibaki,and Uhuru. Why this hostility? Why didn’t they do this to Kibaki or Uhuru? What’s with the disrespect? We are all Kenyans,” he said.
Dr Ruto also said the issue of youth unemployment did not start with his Kenya Kwanza administration claiming his government has created more job opportunities in under two years.
“There are people trying to incite the youth to destroy property and burn businesses, saying they are protesting due to unemployment. Did unemployment start with this regime?”
His remarks come amid growing scrutiny over the use of excessive force by police during the recent demonstrations, which reportedly left at least 31 people dead, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).