Ruto: I don’t regret shoot in the leg order, law allows police to use force

Speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera, President Ruto defended the order he issued on July 9, 2025, following a violent demonstration that left at least 65 people dead.  

“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,” President Ruto said.

He said that the protests had many aspects, including “genuine demonstrators” and “criminal elements” who engaged in looting and destruction of property.

“And the public went up in arms because they said these are not protests. This is looting, this is criminality. And we have had to balance. The police have had to balance between dealing with violent criminals on one end and also managing protests,” Ruto said. 

Then, Ruto told police to shoot and maim violent protesters. 

“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," the Head of State said during the commissioning of a police housing project in Nairobi’s Kilimani area.

Ruto further told Al Jazeera the statement was not an order to the police, insisting the Police force operates independently.  

“I think the police know what they need to do. And the police, by the way, understand that it is within their purview,” he said.

“That is why when I came into office, I ensured that the police were independent. The police carried out their responsibilities independently.”

The president also dismissed allegations of government interference with media coverage of the protests, citing critical headlines such as “Rogue Ruto” in the Standard as evidence of a free press in Kenya.

“The media is independent in Kenya. They write all manner of stuff. I think what you've just said, rogue, is one of the mildest. They say all manner of things about me,” Ruto said.

“They are also free to lie and to churn out falsehood. I mean, it's up to their conscience to write the right thing. But the people of Kenya ultimately will make an assessment of who has exceeded, who has not, who has done the right thing, who has not.”

On the death of the blogger Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody, Ruto said that the officers involved had been arrested and prosecuted.

“And that is why the police who are involved in that particular incident today are behind bars,” he stated. 

“We have a police force of 110,000; you will not miss elements within the police who are rogue. When we identify the rogue ones, we deal with them.”

The president also rejected claims from human rights group that more than 80 government critics and protesters disappeared in 2024 and 2025, saying that his government has ended extrajudicial killings.

“I can tell you none of those people. I have told them.  I have told people who claim that so-and-so has disappeared to step forward and tell the country who are these, when were they abducted,” he stated.

“Today, there are no incidences of Kenyans that are executed.  I committed to the country that I would stop it, and I did.”

President Ruto further said he had fulfilled his campaign promises on jobs, education, and healthcare, while defending his record on corruption. He cited the Conflict-of-Interest Bill passed earlier this year as evidence of his government's commitment to accountability.

“I did sign the law that prohibits public officers to participate in doing business with government,” he said.

“I think I have hired the most judges than any president in three years to make sure that the criminal justice system, the judiciary, is properly enabled to deal with all manner of issues, especially corruption.”