Amnesty International has denounced Kenyan President William Ruto’s call to shoot violent protesters, describing his remarks as “illegal” and warning that they could escalate unrest in the country.
The statement comes amid deadly protests that left 38 people dead last week, according to human rights groups.
Irungu Houghton, Amnesty International’s Executive Director in Kenya, stressed that such directives only intensify confrontations between police, protesters, and civilians.
A report by a coalition of rights organizations also warned of excessive use of force, citing extrajudicial killings and unlawful arrests.
Meanwhile, the police spokesperson denied the allegations, while the interior minister pledged an investigation into reported abuses and announced new guidelines on the use of force starting Friday.
The protests have led to the arrest of 1,500 people and caused economic losses estimated at $14 million, according to the report.
