Belgut MP Nelson Koech has called for a shoot-to-kill order on violent protesters out to destroy other people’s property.
In a video seen by the Star, Koech thanked President William Ruto for directing the police to shoot, albeit on the legs, anyone masquerading as a protesters to steal or damage other people’s property.
He however, said the order should instead be a shoot-to-kill.
Koech, who is also the chairman of National Assembly Defence committee said there is no way someone can come after your life, property or business and you don’t shoot to kill.
“I want to thank President William Ruto for saying yesterday 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 businesses armed and with weapons and you want to tell me that you cannot use shoot and kill,” the legislator said on Thursday morning.
The Belgut MP insisted that the constitution and the Police Act give the police the powers to use their arms where they have evaluated the risk of their lives is in danger.
He said the protesters have been terrorizing people for nothing.
“Anyone who wants to go to a protected area like State House is not an ordinary person that is a criminal that is an armed person that must be dealt with equal force. And the only force that applies to such people is to shoot and kill.”
Koech said anyone who tries that will be arrested and charged with terrorism or facilitating terrorism.
“We will arrest everyone, and I can tell you they are going to be charged as either facilitating terrorism or they are terrorists themselves,” he said.
His remarks come after President William Ruto directed the police to shoot on site criminals who masquerade as protesters to burn and loot businesses and people’s property.
Ruto said police should only shoot them on the legs, so they can be taken to the hospital and after charged for their criminal activities.
He insisted that Kenyans want a peaceful environment where they can do business.
The President went on to say that he cannot accept a country where some people steal and destroy other people’s businesses.
Ruto, however, warned that police must not kill innocent civilians, but criminals must be dealt with in accordance with the law.
“We want peace in Kenya, people to do business. A person who is going to burn another person's business and property, such a person should be shot in the legs, taken to the hospital and then to court. They should not kill him but they should shoot the legs. We cannot accept people who burn other people's property and business. Is there really justice there? Police should not shoot citizens to kill but the criminals should be dealt with,” he said on Wednesday.
