Gachagua slams Ruto over 'shoot the legs' order to police

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has slammed President William Ruto over his directive to police to shoot criminals who will be found masquerading as protesters on the legs.

In a statement on Wednesday night, Gachagua claimed the directive lacks feelings and humanity.

He raised concerns over the recent police killings saying that the President had not even sent condolences to families of those killed during the demos on Monday.

The former DP said that together with other Kenyans they will report Ruto to the International Criminal Court.

“You have even gone further to add insult to injury by directing them to shoot innocent Kenyans on the legs. You could not even send condolences to the dead. You lack feelings and humanity. We shall report you not to the Kenyan police but the International Criminal Court an address you are familiar with,” Gachagua said.

He made the remarks as he left the country for a tour of the United States.

The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) party leader’s remarks came after President Ruto directed the police to shoot on site criminals who burn and loot businesses and people’s property.

Speaking in Kilimani during the inspection of an ongoing Police Housing project, Ruto said police should only shoot them on the legs, take them to hospital and later arraign them to face the law.

He insisted that Kenyans want a peaceful environment where they can do business.

The President went on to say that he cannot accept a country where some people steal and destroy other people’s businesses.

Ruto, however, warned that police must not kill innocent civilians, but criminals must be dealt with in accordance with the law.

“We want peace in Kenya, people to do business. A person who is going to burn another person's business and property, such a person should be shot in the legs, taken to the hospital and then to court. They should not kill him but they should shoot the legs. We cannot accept people who burn other people's property and business. Is there really justice there? Police should not shoot citizens to kill but the criminals should be dealt with.”

Ruto issued a stern warning to all leaders involved in sponsoring the recent protests that action will be taken against them.

“We are coming after you, you cannot sponsor violence in the Republic of Kenya and expect to go scot free,” he said.

He also warned all those involved in the looting and torching of businesses, including government property that they will not be spared in the crackdown.

He condemned the attacks on police officers and security installations, terming them acts of terrorism and a direct declaration of war.