President William Ruto has stood by his earlier comments defending police actions during the controversial Finance Bill protests that gripped the nation June 2024.
In an interview with Al Jazeera on Sunday, the Head of State said he had “no regrets” over the “shoot the leg” directive that was widely criticized following deadly confrontations between police and demonstrators.
Ruto Defends Use of Force
Responding to questions about the police response that left scores dead and hundreds injured, President Ruto maintained that law enforcement officers were within their rights to use proportionate force where lives were endangered.
“I don’t regret those comments at all because the law allows the police to use force when other people’s lives are in danger,” Ruto said.
“I think the police know what they need to do, and they understand that it is within their purview.”
The president added that his administration had made significant reforms to guarantee the independence of the National Police Service, emphasizing that officers now operate without political interference.
“That is why when I came into office, I ensured that the police were independent,” he said. “The police carried out their responsibilities independently.”
Addressing Allegations of Excessive Force
During the nationwide demonstrations against the contentious Finance Bill, human rights groups accused the police of using lethal force against unarmed protesters.
Ruto acknowledged that some officers may have acted outside the law but insisted that the government had taken disciplinary action against rogue elements within the force.
“You will not miss elements within the police who are rogue, and as and when we identify them, we deal with them,” Ruto said.
“In this particular case, when it was discovered that what they told the country was not right, the correct investigations were done and those involved have been brought to book.”
The Finance Bill protests, which began as youth-led demonstrations against proposed tax hikes, rapidly spread across major cities in Kenya, turning into one of the largest civil unrests in recent years.
The government eventually withdrew parts of the bill following public pressure and widespread condemnation of police brutality.
Despite his defense, Ruto’s remarks have reignited debate over the state’s response to public dissent and the limits of police power under Kenya’s democratic framework.
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