Opposition in Kenya calls on president to resign over order for police to shoot protesters
Opposition leaders in Kenya today called for the resignation of the country’s president, William Ruto, after he urged police to shoot anyone caught stealing or causing damage during anti-government protests.
Two days ago, Ruto declared that he would not allow “anarchy” disguised as peaceful protests in Kenya and instructed police to shoot and “break the legs” of those caught looting or damaging property during demonstrations. Today, the funeral was held for a civilian who was shot and killed at close range by a police officer during recent protests – reports Danas.
One of the opposition leaders, Kalonzo Musyoka, said the president’s order was “unconstitutional” and that he must “either resign or face impeachment.”
Waves of protests have swept across Kenya in recent weeks, with human rights organizations urging local police to show restraint.
The National Human Rights Commission, a Kenyan state-funded organization, announced that more than 50 people had died during two major protest rallies.
The unrest began after the death of blogger Albert Odjuang in police custody last month. Police claimed he fatally injured himself by banging his head against a wall, a statement contradicted by a coroner’s report.
Tensions escalated further following the police killing of a civilian named Boniface Kariuki.
During protests against police brutality on July 17, Kariuki was selling face masks when he was apparently attacked by two police officers. As he tried to get away, one of them shot him in the head at close range. Yesterday, that officer was charged with his murder, and a hearing on his appeal is scheduled for July 28.
Thousands turned out for the June 25 demonstrations, which marked the first anniversary of massive protests against the government’s tax policies.
At today’s funeral for Kariuki in the Murang’a region, no uniformed police officers were seen, but riot police were still deployed nearby. At the funeral, next to the coffin, there was a photo capturing the moment of Kariuki’s murder. Many young people attended the burial, carrying Kenyan flags, alongside mothers of dozens of young people killed in protests over the past year.
The governor of Murang’a, Irungu Kang’ata, said that local leaders would ensure justice for Kariuki’s murder. “The government must take responsibility for the killing of Boniface,” he said.
