Tony Gachoka condemns Ruto's 'shoot protesters' order

Nairobi gubernatorial candidate running on a KANU ticket Tony Gachoka During a press briefing by Kanu representatives in Nairobi on the "shoot to kill" order by President William Ruto at a Nairobi Hotel on 10th July 2025. [David Gichuru, Standard] Political commentator Tony Gachoka has condemned President William Ruto's controversial remarks, allegedly instructing police officers to shoot protesters. Gachoka termed the statement a direct order to murder, calling it unconstitutional, immoral, and a grave affront to human dignity. "There is no other way to describe President William Ruto's order - to shoot is to kill, and that is murder," Gachoka said on Thursday during a press briefing in Nairobi. "There is no provision in the Constitution that permits the President or anyone else to order the taking of life. The crime of murder is defined as unlawfully causing the death of another person, and this is exactly what such an order amounts to." The remarks by Gachoka come amidst a groundswell of national and international outrage following a series of youth-led protests met with violent crackdowns. Dozens of Kenyans, including minors, have reportedly died from police action during the Saba Saba protests, with many more injured or detained. Gachoka stressed that the President's directive, whether to "shoot to kill" or "shoot to maim," was equally unlawful and must be condemned in the strongest terms. "Whether you shoot the leg or the head, the intention remains the same - to inflict harm and suppress dissent. That is not law enforcement. That is state violence," he said. He added that the order was not only a constitutional violation but also a moral transgression. "We are condemning and rejecting it, not just because it is illegal. It is unconstitutional. It is wrong before God. Human life is sacred, and no leader should ever feel justified in ending it under the guise of restoring order." Speaking alongside Gachoka, KANU Nairobi Branch Chairperson Titus Otieno echoed the condemnation, stating: "It is very sad and unfortunate for a president to differentiate between shooting the head and the leg. Every part of the human body matters. That statement alone is enough to warrant an apology from the President." Otieno also decried the state of service delivery in Nairobi, blaming it on Governor Johnson Sakaja's administration, which he claimed was using goons to control the county. "We won't allow Nairobi to be run like someone's kitchen," he said. "We stand fully behind Tony Gachoka as our next governor - a leader who will restore Nairobi's dignity and service to its people." Jane Akinyi, a Nairobi resident and supporter of Gachoka, made an emotional appeal about the lives lost in the recent unrest. "Our children are being murdered. A 12-year-old girl was shot while watching TV in her house. What did she do? Who is next?" she asked. "President Ruto, you have children too - imagine if it were yours." Gachoka further declared his official endorsement by KANU Nairobi for the 2027 gubernatorial race, promising to bring sanity, equity, and people-centred leadership to the capital. "We are entering the ground as a party. Nairobi is not someone's inheritance - it belongs to all of us," he said. Taking a broader political stance, Gachoka warned of the return of authoritarianism reminiscent of post-colonial regimes, citing historical African dictators who met tragic ends. "The presidency is not a throne of impunity. No one is above the law - not even William Ruto," he said. "We've seen dictators fall - from Mobutu to Bashir. Let history be your lesson." He further criticised leaders within the ruling UDA party, including Nelson Koech and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, for allegedly supporting the 'shoot to kill' narrative. "What justification can there be for advocating extrajudicial killings in a democracy?" Gachoka asked. "It is nothing short of criminal." Gachoka also raised concerns over the independence of the Judiciary and the IEBC, alleging that the current administration is orchestrating institutional collapse to cling to power. "The IEBC must immediately begin constituency boundary reviews as required by law, and courts must stop being used to intimidate protesters with trumped-up terrorism charges," he said. He criticised President Ruto's emotional response to opposition and public dissent. "The presidency is a symbol of national unity and moral leadership. Jomo Kenyatta, Moi, Kibaki, and even Uhuru Kenyatta never publicly ordered the police to shoot citizens," Gachoka said. "What Ruto has said is not only unpresidential - it is barbaric." Responding to claims that opposition pressure has made it difficult for the President to govern, Gachoka rejected the notion. "This is not about opposition. This is about accountability. If you take power, you must deliver," he said. "The Kenya Kwanza administration has put this country in a constant electioneering cycle. Service delivery has stalled - and the people are tired."

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