Kenya’s opposition leaders have demanded President William Ruto’s resignation after his order for police to shoot looters during protests, describing it as “against the constitution.”
Ruto’s comments came amid ongoing demonstrations in the country, which have resulted in the deaths of over 50 people, including Boniface Kariuki, a civilian who was shot at close range by a police officer.
An officer has been charged with Kariuki’s murder and is set to appear in court on July 28.
Opposition figure Kalonzo Musyoka stated that Ruto should “resign or be impeached” over his comments, which have sparked widespread outrage.
Human rights groups have called for restraint among police officers as waves of protests have rocked Kenya in recent weeks.
The unrest began when the death of a blogger in police custody last month angered many Kenyans, and tensions heightened after the shooting of Kariuki.
At Kariuki’s burial, thousands of mourners turned out to pay their respects, with young people dancing around his coffin while waving a Kenyan flag.
Murang’a County Governor Irungu Kang’ata promised that local leaders would ensure justice is served, saying, “The government must take responsibility for the killing of Boniface.” Several mothers of the more than 100 young people who have died in protests since last year’s anti-tax demonstrations were present at the burial.
