Lawyer Nelson Havi has warmed the police officers against following the shoot-to-kill directive from President William Ruto. Photo: Nelson Havi X.
Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Lawyer Nelson Havi has warned police officers against following President William Ruto to shoot violent protesters on the leg but no killing them.
In a cordial advise to the men and women in police, Havi cautioned the officers about the directive, as the bullet could lead to excessive bleeding, which could result to the protester’s death.
Havi further stated that the president has no powers to give such a directive, despite his allies arguing that he could use any means at the possible to protect the stability and peace of the nation, cautioning that they will be charged individual in court and jailed.
“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,” Havi cautioned.
On Wednesday while commissioning new units under the affordable housing program, Ruto directed the police to fire to any protester attacking police stations on the leg to immobilize them, to account for their action at the Court after discharge from the hospital.
“Anyone who burns down someone else’s business and property, let them be shot in the leg and go to the hospital as they head to court. Yes, let them not kill, but shoot and break the legs. Destroying people’s property is not right,” Ruto directed.
On Thursday, Chairperson Defence Committee in the National Assembly Nelson Koech ‘corrected’ the president’s remarks urging police to shoot and kill, as it is provided in the National Police Act to use their firearms once their life is in danger.
Earlier Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen had issued a similar directive to the police to shoot and kill anyone who approaches a police station, remarks he later said were misinterpreted by the public.
The remarks from key allies of Kenya Kwanza government has sparked debate among Kenyans, on the level of disregard for human life and rights by the regime, in the midst of increased police brutality, killings and abductions in the country.
