Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has strongly rebuked President William Ruto over his recent directive instructing police to shoot violent protesters invading business premises in the leg, rather than kill them.
Speaking during a fundraiser in Kabuchai on Sunday, July 13, 2025, the ODM senator expressed deep disappointment in the president, describing the directive as reckless and unfit for a national leader.
Sifuna recalled visiting victims at Kenyatta National Hospital who had been shot during the protests, stating that the injuries were horrific and not something anyone would wish even on their worst enemy.
“Juzi rais muzima anasimama anaambia polisi ukiona mtu anaandamana, we piga risasi ya mguu. Mimi nimeenda Kenyatta baada ya maandamano kuona watu, ambao, wamepigwa Risasi kwa mguu. It’s not something you can wish on anybody, your worst enemy,” Sifuna said.
He questioned the practicality of such an order, pointing to past incidents where police shot a baby inside a house, wondering how they would now be expected to only aim for the leg under pressure.
“How can a national leader tell police to do such a thing? Na hawa ni polisi ambao hata wanapiga mtoto mdogo ata akiwa ndani ya nyumba, sasa atonal mguu wapi” he added.
The senator further accused the president of failing to lead the nation effectively and turning against the very citizens he was elected to serve, stating that Ruto’s time was up.
Sifuna also condemned Belgut MP Nelson Koech’s recent remarks urging police to shoot to kill, calling on the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to take immediate action against him.
“How can a national leader tell police to do such a thing? Na hawa ni polisi ambao hata wanapiga mtoto mdogo ata akiwa ndani ya nyumba, sasa atonal mguu wapi,” he added.
Rigging remarks
During the same event, he also took a swipe at recent controversial remarks by Wajir Woman Representative Fatuma Jehow. Jehow had openly stated that MPs from the North Eastern region were ready to rig the 2027 general elections in support of President Ruto.
“Wewe unatuambia tungoje 2027, na marafiki zako wanatuambia mnapanga kuiba 2027,” Sifuna said.
Translation: You are telling us to wait for 2027, yet your friends are saying you plan to steal 2027.
He warned that such statements pose a direct threat to Kenya’s democracy, especially with the new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) now in place.
“Mimi kama wakili, najua sheria hairuhusu mtu kuhujumu matokeo ya uchaguzi,” Sifuna said.
Translation: As a lawyer, I know the law does not allow anyone to tamper with election results.
He also demanded accountability from newly appointed IEBC Chair Erastus Ethekon and his team, calling on them to summon MPs like Jehow to answer for their remarks.
