Lawyer Willis Otieno slams Ruto over ‘shoot the leg’ order to police
By Aloys Michael, July 10, 2025Constitutional lawyer Willis Otieno has strongly criticised President William Ruto over his recent directive to the police to shoot protesters involved in looting or attacking stations.
His comments come just a day after the Head of State told police officers to “shoot the leg” of anyone caught looting or engaging in acts of violence.
Speaking on his X account on Thursday, July 10, 2025, Otieno described the President’s remarks as a dangerous affront to constitutional values and the rule of law.
“A president standing on a public platform and openly instructing police to shoot unarmed Kenyans is not only morally bankrupt, it is a blatant violation of the Constitution,” Otieno said.
The controversial order has sparked widespread concern from human rights groups, legal experts, and members of the public.
Otieno further argued that Ruto’s remarks undermined democratic governance, saying: “That is not leadership. That is tyranny.”
Quoting Article 129(1) of the Kenyan Constitution, Otieno cited that executive authority must be exercised in a manner that respects the rule of law, democracy, and human rights.
Otieno called on independent institutions and civil society to speak out against what he termed state-sponsored violence, warning that normalising such rhetoric could erode constitutional safeguards and embolden impunity within the police service.
Ruto on the shooting leg
The Head of State directed the police to shoot on site criminals who masquerade as protesters to burn and loot businesses and people’s property.
Speaking in Kilimani on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, during the inspection of an ongoing Police Housing project, Ruto said police should only shoot them in the legs, so they can be taken to the hospital and then charged for their criminal activities.
He insisted that Kenyans want a peaceful environment in which they can conduct business.
The President went on to say that he cannot accept a country where some people steal and destroy other people’s businesses.
Ruto, however, warned that police must not kill innocent civilians, but criminals must be dealt with by the law.
“We want peace in Kenya, people to do business. A person who is going to burn another person’s business and property, such a person should be shot in the legs, taken to the hospital and then to court. They should not kill him, but they should shoot the legs,” he said.
“We cannot accept people who burn other people’s property and business. Is there justice there? Police should not shoot citizens to kill, but the criminals should be dealt with.”
Ruto issued a stern warning to all leaders involved in sponsoring the recent protests that action will be taken against them.