Kalonzo accuses Ruto of endangering lives with protest shooting directive
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has condemned President William Ruto’s remarks directing police to shoot protesters found destroying property in the legs, warning that the directive amounts to an unconstitutional shoot-to-kill policy.
Speaking during an interview on a local media station on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, Kalonzo argued that Ruto’s remarks signal a dangerous escalation in the use of force and could lead to more civilian deaths amid ongoing anti-government protests.
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“When he announces to the whole world that what Murkomen said about shooting them outside police stations… now he says shoot them on the legs—How I wonder you go and shoot somebody on the legs? So I think there’s something basically wrong with the president himself,” Kalonzo stated.
The former vice president escalated his criticism, further claiming that Ruto has compromised his constitutional role as defender of the nation’s fundamental law.
“I want to say the president has become a national security risk. Now that’s a serious statement to make. Because what head of state who has sworn to uphold the Constitution should be the one leading and saying ‘shoot to kill’—which he knows is unconstitutional?” he said.
Use of lethal force
Responding to a clarification from the interviewer that the directive was to “shoot to maim,” Kalonzo rejected the distinction, saying the reality on the ground proves otherwise.
“No. How do you know when you’re maiming? There was one shot in Karatina in a gym, right, and others, because police are using live bullets, right? How can you then say you shoot them in the legs? It is as simple as that. Shoot to kill,” he explained.
He emphasised that the constitutional right to life is being violated by Ruto’s instructions to security forces, arguing that the state’s use of lethal force is putting the country on a dangerous path and risks plunging Kenya into deeper unrest.
“Because of that statement alone, the President has moved from the position of being Head of State to a national security risk,” Kalonzo continued.
“And when that happens, it’s a very grave matter. The country is in grave danger.”
