Shoot and kill! Belgut MP urges lethal force against rioters

Belgut MP Nelson Koech has urged police officers to use maximum force against individuals involved in violent street demonstrations and acts of vandalism. [File, Standard]

National Assembly Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations Committee Chairperson Nelson Koech has urged police officers to use maximum force, including the controversial shoot-to-kill approach, against individuals involved in violent street demonstrations and acts of vandalism.

Speaking at a public event in Chebirbei, Kericho County, the Belgut MP stated that President William Ruto's directive for police to shoot violent demonstrators in the leg does not adequately address the rising lawlessness during protests.

Koech argued that police officers should be permitted to utilize the full extent of the law, including lethal action, when public safety, property, and national security are under threat.

“The Police Act grants officers the authority to use their firearms when their lives, the lives of citizens, or critical property are in danger. We cannot allow criminals to terrorize private citizens and destroy businesses. Armed individuals targeting enterprises and institutions must be dealt with decisively,” Koech said.

He further declared that anyone attempting to invade restricted areas, such as the State House, during demonstrations should be regarded as a terrorist.

“That is an armed criminal. The only appropriate response in such a case is shoot-to-kill — it's as simple as that,” he added.

The Belgut MP also warned that those who mastermind and finance violent demonstrations would be classified as terrorists, emphasizing that the government would target not only the perpetrators but also their backers and sympathizers.

“We will arrest them all, including their sympathizers. These individuals pose a threat to national security and must be dealt with accordingly,” he stated.