Mohammed Ali blasts Nelson Koech over his shoot-to-kill proposal to Ruto
He further called on the police to act with self-control and responsibility, especially when dealing with the public
Nyali MP Mohammed Ali has criticised his Belgut counterpart over his outrageous remarks towards the deadly shooting of violent protesters.
The Nyali lawmaker has stated that the call for the use of extreme force by the police against protesters only fuels more unnecessary violence.
The former journalist called on leaders to refrain from encouraging the police to act in ways that could lead to more chaos in the country.
“Shocked by the remarks made by MP Nelson Koech endorsing a ‘shoot to kill order’ against anti-government protesters. Advocating for the use of extreme force by police only fans the flames of unnecessary violence that risk eroding the respect for human life and dignity,” Ali stated.
“Kenyans, especially leaders, must refrain from setting police on a path that will plunge the country into further mayhem and lawlessness,” he pleaded.
He further called on the police to act with self-control and responsibility, especially when dealing with the public.
Ali warned officers that they would personally face consequences for human rights violations in court
“I urge the Police to exercise restraint and honor their responsibility to protect and safeguard the lives of Kenyans and to remember that they alone will be held accountable for their actions when matters of human rights violations are brought before the court,” he added.
His statement comes after Koech yesterday insisted that the President needed to issue a shoot-to-kill order and not a shoot on the leg.
According to the Belgut MP, who also chairs the National Assembly Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee, police officers should not hesitate to kill if they are in danger or if other Kenyans face danger from violent protesters.
“President William Ruto said Shoot but do not kill; I want to repeat it here, in fact, shoot and kill. You cannot have someone coming after your life, and you do not want to shoot and kill. You cannot have someone who is going to terrorize you and your family, and you are telling me you cannot shoot and kill. You cannot have someone who is coming after your business, armed with weapons, and you want to tell me that you cannot shoot and kill,” Koech stated.
Earlier this week, while inspecting the ongoing construction of police houses in Kilimani, President Ruto directed that those found looting or destroying property during protests should not be fatally shot but injured.
“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, do not kill, but shoot and break the legs. Destroying people’s property is not right,” the President ordered.
This is even as he warned political leaders of financing unrest, claiming that they want to overthrow his government.
According to the president, goons who attack officers, loot, and burn police stations are declaring war.
