Babu Owino Blames Ruto as Police Accused of Shooting Protesters in Nairobi
NAIROBI, Kenya – Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has directly accused the Kenyan government of authorizing lethal force against protesters during Tuesday’s nationwide demonstrations, placing the blame squarely on President William Ruto.
Speaking from Kenyatta National Hospital on Wednesday, Owino described the injuries he witnessed among protesters as the result of deliberate and targeted police shootings.
“The blood of these young men and women is on the hands of those who gave the shoot-to-kill orders,” said Owino. “Silence at the highest level of government is complicity.”
According to hospital records cited by the MP, 16 people were admitted with serious injuries sustained during the protests. Seven remain hospitalized, including two in critical condition. Nine others were treated and released.
Victims shot at close range, MP calls it a massacre
Owino shared graphic details from his hospital visit, including a patient with seven bullet wounds to the back and others shot in the eye, neck, and lower spine.
“These were not accidents,” he said. “These were deliberate attacks on unarmed civilians children of this republic.”
He singled out the case of a protester who was shot at close range in broad daylight. The footage, widely shared online, has triggered national outrage.
“What I witnessed today is nothing short of a massacre,” Owino added, calling the state’s use of live ammunition “criminal.”
KNCHR confirms 22 Injuries, demands accountability
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has confirmed 22 civilian injuries resulting from the protests, which took place in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi, and Kwale.
Among the injured is Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, who was shot at close range in Nairobi’s Central Business District and remains in critical condition at KNH.
In a statement, KNCHR Vice Chair Dr. Raymond Nyeris condemned the police response as dangerous and unprofessional.
“This is unacceptable conduct by the police,” said Nyeris. “Their role is to provide security for all persons in Kenya without bias. What we witnessed is a step backward one that could plunge the country into anarchy.”
Reported injuries included gunshot wounds, blunt trauma, head lacerations, and asthma triggered by tear gas exposure.
Call for reforms and investigations grows louder
Civil society organizations and human rights groups have echoed the demands for independent investigations into the conduct of police during the protests.
Owino vowed to continue pressing for justice, saying no threats or intimidation would silence the fight for accountability.
“We will not be cowed. We will not stop demanding justice. And we will not stop standing with the people of Kenya,” he stated.
The protests were part of ongoing opposition to government policies, including the Finance Bill 2025. As tensions rise, public trust in law enforcement and political leadership is under intense scrutiny.
What comes next
The pressure is mounting on President Ruto to address the claims and outline clear action against those responsible for the violence. With victims still recovering and national outrage deepening, the government’s response in the coming days will be closely watched both at home and abroad.
