President Ruto's shoot to leg order warrants ICC prosecution-Lawyer

Lawyer Edgar Busiega addressing his supporters at his rural home in Malava Constituency, Kakamega County.[Benard Lusigi, Standard]

President William Ruto had last week ordered police officers to shoot suspected criminals and troublemakers in the legs during protests. 

This directive has sparked mixed reactions, with experts raising concerns about the potential threat to human rights.

Lawyer Edgar Busiega has said that if this order is carried out, President Ruto could be held liable for offences under the Rome Statute and international laws.

 "The President may not be prosecuted currently under the Kenyan law, but he is not above international law. The international community is watching Kenya," said Busiega. 

He added, "If lives are lost after his order, the people can ask the International Criminal Court to go after whoever directed the police to shoot and kill, and I am ready to be part of the leaders."

Busiega urged President Ruto to withdraw the directive and listen to the citizens to avert public unrest.

 "The president was ill-advised, and no life is lesser than the other. He should not use brutal force against the very people who elected him into office," Busiega emphasised.

In addition, Busiega advised the residents of Malava not to heed outside influences urging them to vote for specific candidates in the upcoming parliamentary by-election.

 "I am in the opposition; I am with the people and not the government. Our people should be allowed to vote in person for their choice based on the credentials and capabilities as opposed to being dictated by the state machinery on who to elect, and my message to them is that they are in for a rude shock," he stated.

Nicholas Waingwe, a resident of Malava, urged police officers to disregard the President's and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen's directives, viewing them instead as personal opinions.

 "Our youth are unemployed, frustrated, and have lost hope. They are simply trying to express their desperation, which should not be met with violent force. I urge our police officers not to hide behind the President's and the Interior CS's directives; they should consider such orders personal. If they carry them out, the law will eventually catch up with them," Waingwe said. 

He added, "We do not support the directives to shoot at our young people. The government should work to address the pressing issues raised by our youth, such as unemployment and poor governance. No one should dictate to the people of Malava who they should elect; we are wise enough to make our own choices. That is why we stand behind Busiega, and those with differing views should also support their preferred candidates."