AMNESTY International on Tuesday slammed a call by the Kenyan President William Ruto to shoot protesters, saying it would fuel more violence at a time of mounting anger and deadly anti-government rallies.
At least 38 people died last week during demonstrations, rights groups say, marking the deadliest day of protests since the start of youth-led rallies against Ruto.
The demonstrations have shaken the country, and Ruto recently said protesters who engaged in violence “should be shot in the leg”.
Amnesty International’s Kenya director, Irungu Houghton, said the president’s comments were “unlawful”.
“It is extremely dangerous for politicians to instruct police officers… on how to conduct policing during protests,” he said.
Irungu said such orders “would escalate the levels of violence” through “greater conflict between police officers, protesters, bystanders, counter-protesters, and even criminals and bullies”.
Rights groups have previously warned about the presence of armed men during protests and noted reports suggesting that some operate alongside police officers.
Kenyan police have repeatedly denied the allegations.
International criticism has also mounted, with the United Nations urging restraint.
In a report released Tuesday by the Police Reforms Working Group — a coalition of grassroots and national rights groups, including Amnesty — found the recent marches were “marred by state violence, unlawful policing tactics”.
The report said it had documented “the use of live ammunition against unarmed civilians, extrajudicial executions, disappearances, and unlawful arrests”.
“The evidence points to serious allegations of unlawful conduct and extrajudicial killings by individuals suspected to be police officers,” it said, adding that over 500 civilians and police officers were wounded.
The National Police Service spokesperson told AFP such allegations were part of a “false narrative”.