President William Ruto on Wednesday ordered the Kenya police to shoot at protesters looting and destroying property. 

Mr Ruto made this call at the inauguration of a police housing project in Nairobi’s Kilimani area on Wednesday.

He said, “Anyone who burns down someone else’s business and property, let them be shot in the leg and go to the hospital as they head to court. Yes, let them not kill, but shoot and break the legs. Destroying people’s property is not right.’’

Mr Ruto’s charge came days after the Saba Saba protests which turned violent on Monday. At least 10 people were killed and 29  injured across Kenya as protesters shut down the country in commemoration of Saba Saba Day.

To mark the 35th anniversary of Saba Saba, (meaning seven seven), Kenya historic riots on July 7, 1990 in the push for multi-party democracy, many youths marched across Kenya disrupting commercial and economic activities.

In a statement on Monday, Kenya National Human Rights Commission confirmed “10 fatalities, 29 injuries, 2 cases of abduction and 37 arrests across 17 counties” amid Saba Saba commemoration protest.

Under Mr Ruto, the East African country has been rocked by protests, beginning with the anti-Finance Bill protest last year. Since the protest that claimed about 60 lives, youths continued to protest, demanding Mr Ruto’s resignation.