President William Ruto yesterday issued new orders to police officers—barely two weeks after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen gave a similar directive.

The President gave officers the green light to shoot in the leg anyone who dares to attack a police station or government installation.

Ruto made the remarks in Nairobi, two days after the 35th anniversary of the Saba Saba demonstrations, which have so far claimed the lives of 31 young people, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).

According to the Head of State, attacking police stations or government installations amounts to a declaration of war, and the police should respond firmly.

“Anyone who will attack a police officer or police station… that is a declaration of war in the Republic of Kenya, and that is unacceptable,” said a seemingly furious Dr Ruto.

He added: “Anyone who takes fire to go and torch someone else’s business and property should be shot in the leg—so that he can go to hospital, then afterwards to court.”

Ruto’s remarks quickly attracted criticism from Kenyans, who expressed concern that police may now resort to excessive force following the directive from the Commander-in-Chief.

The shoot-to-cripple order comes at a time when intense public debate surrounds the charges facing those arrested in connection with attacks on police stations.

The National Police Service Act outlines the circumstances under which officers may use firearms on suspects or criminals.

Section 19 of the Act states that firearms should only be used as a last resort—when less extreme measures are insufficient to protect life or prevent serious harm.

The Act explicitly prohibits the use of firearms for punishment, intimidation, or discrimination, and requires officers to justify their actions and be subject to investigation where necessary.

In a scathing rebuke to the opposition, President Ruto—who was inspecting Affordable Housing Units for police officers in Kilimani—claimed he had exercised patience for too long. He labelled attacks on government installations as acts of terrorism, saying the perpetrators would be dealt with decisively.

On the issue of unemployment, Dr Ruto accused unnamed individuals of inciting the youth to destroy businesses and property in an effort to undermine his administration.

“I want to ask them: did the employment crisis begin when I became President? Let’s be honest. If some people have other motives, let them come out clearly. I have played a big role in ensuring that youths get employment,” said Ruto.

He cited the Affordable Housing programme and online job opportunities—claiming they have absorbed around 200,000 Kenyans—as evidence of his administration’s efforts to combat youth unemployment.

While acknowledging that unemployment remains one of his government’s biggest challenges, the President said the issue cannot be resolved overnight.

At the same event, Ruto dismissed the opposition as “foolish” individuals using unemployment as an excuse to incite unrest, alleging they were plotting to oust him before the end of his term.

“They want to plan demonstrations, violence, destroy property, and kill people to take over before 2027—but I dare them to try. They will regret it,” he warned, adding that Kenya is a democratic state where leadership is determined at the ballot box.

“Those characters giving us lectures about changing this administration through unlawful means must remember it is the people who decide—through the ballot,” he added, questioning why they did not cause similar unrest during previous regimes.

“Before I took over, there was Moi, Kibaki, and Uhuru. Why are they causing trouble under my leadership? That is nonsense,” he said, vowing that those sponsoring the destruction of property would be arrested.