Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has called out President Ruto over his shoot-to-the-leg order to police officers.
In a statement released on July 11, Raila noted that any orders or instructions to the police to shoot to kill, maim, disorient or shock citizens were wrong.
Raila, who is part of the broad-based government with Ruto, called for the upholding of the rule of law and not the use of excessive force.
Raila questions President Ruto’s shoot to the leg orders. Photo: Courtesy.
“In a protest or any other environment that requires law enforcement, all the above orders- shoot to kill, maim, disorient, or shock citizens- are wrong. As a country, we must at all times opt for the Rule of Law and due process and reject the temptation to give police illegitimate and deadly powers over citizens, even when the citizens are perceived to have broken the law,” Raila stated.
Raila urged the government to prioritise addressing the issue of violent protesters through their arrests and arraignment in court.
According to Raila, this would preserve the dignity and respect the human rights of suspects, while at the same time confer credibility to the actions of the State.
On July 9, the Head of State issued explicit orders to the police, giving them leeway to use force and shoot individuals involved in violent demonstrations in the leg.
“Anyone deciding to storm a person’s business or a police station should be shot in the leg. Thereafter, they can go to court and see what follows next,” Ruto said.
