“I want to thank President Ruto. Yesterday, The moment you said shoot but do not kill, I want to repeat it here, in fact shoot and kill!”, said Koech.

He went on to emphasize why the “shoot to kill” order is necessary, citing concerns of property damage, loss of lives which are a result of the actions of violent protestors who are said to have hijacked the recent wave of peaceful protest demanding an end to police brutality.

“You can’t have someone coming after your life and you don’t want to shoot and kill, you can’t have someone who is going to terrorize you and your family, and you are telling me you can’t shoot and kill, you can’t have someone who is coming after your businesses armed and with weapons and you can’t use shoot and kill”, emphasized Koech.

He reiterated to the Constitution, further citing that the provision set out regarding police operations and conducts, grants law enforcement officers some degree of powers on how they should use their arms, in this case the context being protest oversight and control.

“The Constitution, the police act has given police the powers to use their arms where they have evaluated the risks and that their lives is in danger”, noted Koech in reference to the sixth schedule of the National Police Service Act.

Koech went on to state that persons who enter protected areas will be dealt with, with full force, which he emphasized as being the “shoot to kill” order, a statement in reference to the earlier planned entry into State House by protestors during the anniversary protests on June 25th this year.

“These people have been terrorizing people. Anyone who wants 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, with equal force and the only force that applies to such people is to shoot and kill”, noted Koech. 

Koech further dismissed insinuations that the government was hiring goons to be unleashed on protesters or carry out destruction of property.

“If you think that the government is sending goons and arsons to attack people’s property and investment, why do you have a problem when the government goes after all these people they’ve sent, as you claim”, stated Koech.

Koech further mentioned that the violent protestors will be arrested and charged for terrorism or incitement to, and facilitation of terrorism due to their actions that lead to the loss of lives and damage to residential houses, commercial buildings and investment properties.

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“We will arrest everyone and I can tell you they are terrorists. They’re going to be charged as either facilitating terrorism or they’re terrorists themselves”, said Koech.

Additionally, he cautioned persons found culpable of orchestrating acts of violence in the country, referencing that the Kenya Kwanza administration will not allow itself to be part of the plans of violence or bloodshed.

“This country’s blood has been shed enough times and we want to warn all those who want to orchestrate violence in our nation that we will not allow the temptation to join your chorus,” he said.