MP Amisi to Ruto: Even murderers are taken to court not shot

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi. /CALEB AMISI/X

President William Ruto is facing heavy criticism over remarks suggesting that individuals who vandalise or destroy property during protests should be shot in the legs and later prosecuted.

Many Kenyans have denounced the comments as unconstitutional and a violation of the right to a fair trial, as guaranteed under Article 50(2)(a) of the constitution.

The provision states that every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty and places the burden of proof on the prosecution.

In what has been widely described as a shocking statement, President Ruto declared that those found burning or damaging other people’s businesses would be treated as terrorists.

“Mtu ambaye anaenda kuchoma biashara ya wenyewe…mtu kama huyo apigwe risasi miguu aende hospitali akienda kortini,” said the President.

(A person who goes to burn other people's businesses... such a person should be shot in the legs, taken to hospital, then taken to court.)

He added: “Wasimuume lakini wapige hii miguu ivunjike."

The President’s comments have triggered online backlash, with many social media users mocking the remarks by sharing AI-generated images of people on crutches or in wheelchairs.

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi joined the condemnation, posting his image alongside a strongly worded rebuke of the President’s remarks.

“Effects of insensitive pronouncement by the highest office,” he wrote.

“Which part of the Constitution of Kenya allows the shooting of citizens on their legs, genitals, or wherever, for whatever crime committed? Even murderers are not shot but taken to court.”

The MP warned that Kenya was at risk of backsliding.

“Kenya needs a renaissance urgently before we remain an example of a nation that once was an EAC hegemony.”

Speaking during an inspection tour of a police housing project in Kilimani, Nairobi, President Ruto issued a stern warning to individuals he accused of using protests as a cover to destabilise his government.

His remarks came in the wake of a wave of street demonstrations, largely led by Gen Z, which were reportedly infiltrated by suspected hired goons who looted and destroyed businesses.

Ruto declared, “Enough is enough!” emphasising that he would not allow the country to descend into lawlessness or be “destroyed by retrogressive elements that are seeking shortcuts to rise to power.”

"Kwa hivyo, askari wasipige wananchi risasi kuwaua, lakini mhalifu ambaye ameenda kuvunja mali ya mwingine ashughulikiwe aende hospitali akienda kortini."

(Therefore, police officers should not shoot citizens to kill, but a criminal who has destroyed another person's property should be dealt with—taken to hospital and then to court)