Kenyan President William Ruto has ordered police officers to shoot in the leg anyone caught looting businesses and vandalizing property during protests.

“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,” he said.

President Ruto  further warned unnamed political leaders he accused of inciting the youth into violence, saying, “It is leaders financing youth to carry out those acts, and we are coming after you!”

He said attacks on police officers and premises like police stations, such as those witnessed during the June 25 anti-2024 Finance Bill anniversary protests, will be treated as terrorism.

“Those who attack our police, security installations, including police stations, are declaring war. It is terrorism, and we are going to deal with you firmly. We cannot have a nation run by terror and governed by violence; it will not happen under my watch,” Ruto said.

Kenya has seen a wave of protests, initially led by young people angry at the state of the economy, corruption and police brutality, since June last year when proposed tax rises triggered widespread anger.

The demonstrations have been met with increasing force by police

From the most recent demos on Monday, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said it recorded 31 deaths and 107 injuries.