Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhanda has called out ODM for lecturing President William Ruto over his directive to the police to shoot on the leg protesters. Photo: Zaheer Jhanda X.
Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhanda has called out the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) for opposing President William Ruto’s latest order to the police.
Ruto’s directive to members of the National Police Service (NPS) to shoot on the leg violent protesters to immobilize them to take responsibility of their action received criticism from leaders in the country, including from their latest political partner ODM.
The party’s leader Raila Odinga termed the directive of giving much military powers to the police will escalate the situation in the country, and urged adherence to the principle of arresting and arraignment of protesters before the court of law.
His Secretary General Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna further faulted the head of state directive, which he said clearly showed the country is headed in the wrong direction.
“A state officer standing and saying you can shoot people as if people don’t die from gunshot wounds. We saw Rex Masai, the young man who was killed during the protests, was shot in the leg. How can you tell police to shoot people in the leg as if those injuries are sustainable injuries? We want to make it very clear, as a country, we’ve totally lost our way,” Sifuna said.
Backing his party leader Jhanda said that the ODM party has no moral right to question the president’s directive, as they have never won any election, and should instead keep quite, or leave the Broad-Based government if they are uncomfortable.
The UDA MP asked the Odinga led fraction to ask their ministers to resign from government, for their statements to be considered and taken serious, instead of fighting from inside.
“ODM Should not Threaten or Lecture us on how to Run Government or Human Rights Issues. They have Never won any Elections. If they’re Uncomfortable in the Broad Based Government, Then muame Mbio. Ask Your Ministers to Resign, and then we shall take you Serious Otherwise Fungeni Mdomo,” Jhande wrote.
UDA leaders have backed up Ruto’s directive including Belgut MP Nelson Koech, who said that the police should not shoot on the leg, but shoot to kill, as it is guaranteed in the Constitution in the National Police Service Act.
