Kenyan President William Ruto has defended the actions of security forces during recent deadly anti-government protests, declaring that he will not allow “anarchy” under the guise of peaceful demonstrations.
Breaking his silence on Wednesday after weeks of unrest, Ruto urged police to use force against violent protesters, even instructing them to “shoot in the leg” those involved in looting or destruction.
“Enough is enough,” he said, blaming the unrest on politically motivated attempts to destabilize his government.
The protests, which erupted following the death of a blogger in police custody last month, have turned deadly, with at least 50 people killed over the past two weeks.
Tensions escalated further after a widely circulated video showed police shooting a civilian at close range during one of the demonstrations.
Clashes have occurred in 17 of Kenya’s 47 counties, including the capital, Nairobi, where police set up roadblocks and restricted movement.
On Monday alone, 31 people were killed, more than 100 injured, and over 500 arrested during violent protests.
Civil society groups have repeatedly called for police restraint and accountability.
In response to public outrage, five officers have been charged over the blogger’s death and the shooting incident.
The deputy police inspector general, Eliud Langat—who had filed a complaint against the blogger for social media posts accusing him of corruption—has stepped aside pending investigations.
Ruto, however, dismissed the protests as part of an unconstitutional effort by his political opponents to remove him from office.
“This country will not be destroyed by a few people who are impatient and want a change of government by illegal means,” he said.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has urged Kenyan authorities to address the grievances driving the protests and ensure respect for human rights.
