Havi warns police against using excessive force and firearm misuse
By Nancy Marende, July 10, 2025Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi has warned police officers against the unlawful use of force, stating that those found culpable will face the full force of the law.
This is after President William Ruto directed the police to shoot any individuals targeting police officers and security installations during demonstrations on the streets and have them presented in court.
In a statement on Thursday, July 10, 2025, Havi reminded officers that they bear individual criminal responsibility for their actions.
He emphasised that President William Ruto has no legal authority to instruct police officers on when or how to use firearms and that invoking orders from above will not offer legal protection.
“Listen, a rifle round will often dismember a limb, leading to excessive bleeding and death. President William Ruto has no power to order you, a police officer, on how to use a firearm. You will be charged and convicted alone. He will not care when you go through the tribulations,” he said.
Speaking from Kilimani on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, President Ruto condemned those who have taken advantage of recent protests to destroy businesses, harm police officers, and threaten the country’s stability.
He warned that any individual who attacks a police station or assaults law enforcement officers will face severe consequences under the full force of the law.
“Anyone who picks up petrol to burn someone else’s business or any other person’s property, such a person should be shot in the leg, taken to hospital, and then presented in court,” he said.
“And I want to tell Kenyans clearly, anyone who attacks a police officer, anyone who invades a police station, that is a declaration of war in the Republic of Kenya. I do not know if we are understanding each other, my friend. Enough is enough. It cannot go on any longer,” he added.
Ruto’s vow
The president vowed to fulfil his constitutional responsibility to protect the lives, property, and livelihoods of all Kenyans.
He said the government he leads will no longer tolerate acts of arson, destruction, and lawlessness under the guise of protest, reiterating that such criminality undermines the very development the country has worked hard to achieve.
“I will protect the properties of the citizens of Kenya, their lives, and their businesses. It is the responsibility of the Government of Kenya, which I lead, to make sure that this war of destroying property and burning people’s businesses comes to an end. It must stop. I do not know if we are understanding each other,” he said.
President Ruto declared that his administration would utilise every lawful mechanism available to restore order and maintain stability across the country.
“We are going to use whatever means is available to make sure that we stabilise the country. We cannot accept mayhem and anarchy to destroy the development we have in this country,” he stated.