Natembeya warns that shooting in the leg can still be fatal
By Valerian Khakayi, July 10, 2025Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has issued a stern warning against President William Ruto’s directives to shoot protesters who cause chaos in the leg, highlighting the inherent unpredictability and deadly consequences of live ammunition.
Speaking during a one-on-one conversation with a local TV station on Thursday night, July 10, 2025, Natembeya emphasised that live bullets are deadly and unpredictable, even a wound meant to be non‑lethal can turn fatal.
“It is only enough wakati haya maswala yameshugulikiwa haiwezi kuwa enough kwa sababu raisi amesema,” Natembeya said.
“Raisi kusema wale wanaandamana wapigwe risasi kwa mguu wale ambao wanaelewa maswala ya bunduki na risasi wanaelewa ya kwamba risasi ukitoa kwenye bunduki hauwezi control utalenga mguu na utapiga kichwa.“
In addition, the governor added that anyone familiar with firearms knows that one cannot control a bullet once it leaves the gun; you might aim for the leg, but hit the head.
“Kwa hivyo kusema ulenge mguu ni kuassume askari wote ni sharpshooters; ukilenga goti anaweza piga kichwa,”he said.
He further recalled that Rex was shot in the leg and later passed away, and noted that many people have lost their lives from leg wounds caused by live ammunition.
“Risari sio jiwe ama kijiti rasasi ni moto, unaweza pigwa risasi ata kwa kidole na ukufe, Rex aligigwa risasi kwa mguu na akaaga, na watu wengi wameaga kutokana na kupigwa rasasi kwa mguu,” Natembeya said.
“Let us not get to a point where we start shooting Kenyans.”
Ruto’s orders
This comes after Ruto issued a stern warning to individuals engaging in violent demonstrations, particularly those targeting police officers and stations, declaring such actions acts of war against the Republic of Kenya.
Speaking from Kilimani on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, the head of state said 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.”
The president vowed to fulfil his constitutional responsibility to protect the lives, property, and livelihoods of all Kenyans.
“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.