Posted by Siseko Tapile
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When William Samoei Ruto, President of Kenya ordered security forces to target demonstrators' legs on July 9 2025, the country’s simmering unrest boiled over into a deadly showdown that left at least 16 people dead and roughly 400 injured.
The carnage unfolded across Kenya as a wave of Generation Z activists marked the one‑year anniversary of the June 2024 anti‑tax protests that began in Nairobi. Young Kenyans, who make up about 75 % of the population, flooded streets, social media feeds, and university campuses demanding President Ruto’s resignation.
The story started in June 2024 when the government unveiled a Finance Bill that would tax everyday items—bread, fuel, even mobile‑money transfers. The bill was part of an International Monetary Fund‑backed plan to raise US$2.7 billion in revenue. Already fragile public trust evaporated after Rex Masai, a 19‑year‑old protester, was shot dead by police on June 20 2024.
That killing sparked a massive march on Parliament on June 25 2024, with more than 100 000 people demanding the bill’s withdrawal. Security forces responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition, killing three demonstrators that day. Under mounting pressure, President Ruto pulled the Finance Bill on June 26 2024, but the crackdown left a deep scar.
Fast forward a year, and the anger resurfaced. On July 7 2025, police opened fire on crowds in at least six cities. Official tallies show 38 dead and 130 injured that single day, but human‑rights monitors suspect the real numbers are higher.
Boniface Kariuki, a 22‑year‑old mask vendor became the face of the tragedy after a video showed officers firing point‑blank at him in Nairobi. The clip went viral, fueling outrage and prompting Amnesty International Kenya to warn of a "trust deficit" between citizens and security forces.
Adding to the horror, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights documented armed criminal gangs collaborating with police, turning what could have been a standard crowd‑control operation into an orchestrated massacre.
Two days after the July 7 bloodshed, President Ruto took to national television. He declared a "war on the protests" and instructed law‑enforcement officers to "shoot protesters' legs so they break and they can go to hospital on their way to court." The chilling directive was a stark escalation, signaling that the state was prepared to weaponize pain as a deterrent.
Critics argue the order violates Kenya’s constitution, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly. Legal scholars from the University of Nairobi highlighted that such a policy could be classified as torture under international law.
Since the crackdown, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has logged over 500 arrests, many of them minors. Their reports detail cases of extrajudicial killings, beatings, and intimidation of witnesses.
Amnesty International Kenya’s spokesperson, Zaina Kombo, told Channel 4 News, "We already had a trust deficit, but this deeply entrenched the trust deficit between citizens and security officials because then it means that even when you're arrested, the people who are meant to give you protection in a cell could as well just turn wild and do something like that."
The funerals of victims—most notably Boniface Kariuki on July 11 2025—have turned into political rallies, with mourners chanting slogans that call for Ruto’s resignation and an end to foreign‑imposed austerity measures.
Analysts see three possible trajectories. First, the government could double down, expanding the state of emergency and further curbing media freedoms. Second, sustained international pressure—especially from the IMF and European donors—might force Ruto to roll back the harsh tactics and initiate an independent inquiry.
Third, the protests could evolve into a broader movement demanding constitutional reforms, echoing the 2007‑2008 post‑election crisis but driven by a digitally native generation. If the latter materializes, Kenya could see a shift in political power dynamics that reshapes East African politics for years to come.
The United Nations Human Rights Office issued a statement on July 15 2025 calling the killings "potential crimes against humanity" and urging Kenya to ensure accountability. Meanwhile, the IMF postponed a scheduled review of its loan program, signaling concern over the instability.
Western embassies in Nairobi have offered to monitor the situation, but critics argue that diplomatic rhetoric often stalls while on‑the‑ground violence continues.
With 75 % of Kenyans under 35, the heavy‑handed response fuels fear, job insecurity, and a loss of trust in institutions. Many students have postponed exams, while others are joining underground activist networks, increasing the risk of further clashes.
The bill sought to levy taxes on staple goods—bread, fuel, and mobile‑money transfers—to meet a US$2.7 billion IMF loan condition. Citizens saw it as a burden on the poorest and a symbol of foreign interference, sparking nationwide demonstrations.
Key actors include Amnesty International Kenya, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, and local NGOs like Socialist Alternative, all providing on‑the‑ground reports and video evidence.
If domestic courts act independently, officers could face charges ranging from unlawful killings to crimes against humanity. International bodies, however, may intervene only if Kenya fails to conduct credible investigations.
The IMF has paused certain disbursements while urging Kenya to restore stability and respect human rights. Continued unrest could jeopardize the remaining US$2.7 billion funding, pressuring the government to negotiate.
Comments
J T
Ruto's leg‑shooting order is straight up barbaric 😡
October 15, 2025 at 22:59