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President William Ruto's controversial order authorizing police to shoot—though not kill—violent protesters continues to provoke widespread backlash. Among the most vocal critics is opposition leader Raila Odinga, who has openly denounced the directive, warning that it poses a serious threat to Kenya’s democratic foundations.
In a statement shared via his official channels, Raila cautioned that such an approach edges the country dangerously close to authoritarianism. According to him, law enforcement must not replace due process with force, even in moments of civil unrest.
Raila stressed that Kenya is governed by the rule of law—not by force or fear. "We are not a police state. No government should respond to protests, however chaotic, with orders that violate constitutional protections," Raila said.
He challenged the state to detain and prosecute suspected lawbreakers rather than instruct officers to maim or disable them. Citing the cornerstone principle of 'innocent until proven guilty,' he emphasized the critical role of courts in upholding justice.
Raila urged the government to use legal avenues such as arrest and trial to handle those accused of violence or looting during demonstrations. According to him, brutality only deepens public anger and fractures trust in state institutions.
“Instructing police to shoot citizens, regardless of intent, undermines our values as a democratic society. There is no room for barbarity masquerading as order,” he said.
He argued that suspects must retain their dignity and human rights, even when accused of crimes. Anything else, he noted, would amount to unconstitutional repression.
The ODM leader warned that adopting a militarized approach to public policing—especially during protests—escalates tensions and endangers both civilians and law enforcement. He pointed to other African nations where excessive force has only fueled unrest and rebellion.
He called on President Ruto to reconsider his stance and instead champion dialogue, restraint, and constitutionalism. "We cannot fix disorder with more violence. The role of the state is not to injure its citizens but to uphold justice," Raila added.
Earlier in the week, while addressing Kilimani residents, President Ruto stated that he would not tolerate criminals using protests to destroy property or harm civilians. He insisted that his command to shoot the legs of violent individuals was necessary to prevent chaos and deter repeat offenses.
Ruto claimed that after being incapacitated and treated in hospital, the offenders would then face justice in court. Critics, however, argue that this is merely a euphemistic version of shoot-to-kill, dressed up as “restraint.”
Human rights groups and opposition figures now fear this could embolden rogue police officers and open the floodgates to unchecked state violence.
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