The government will use whatever means are available to stabilize the country, William Ruto has said

Kenyan protesters who attack security installations and businesses are terrorists waging war against the government, the East African nation's leader, William Ruto, has said, ordering police to shoot such individuals in the legs.

Ruto's remarks come amid a wave of violent anti-government protests that have swept across Kenya in recent weeks, with human rights groups reporting over 30 deaths and damage to property.

"Such criminal acts are a declaration of war," the president said on Wednesday, instructing police not to kill "anyone caught burning another person's business or property," but instead that they "should be shot in the leg, hospitalized, and later taken to court."

"This country will not be destroyed by a few people who are impatient and who want to have a change of government using unconstitutional means. We're going to use whatever means that is available to make sure that we stabilize the country," he said.

At least 31 people were killed during Monday's protests alone, according to the latest figures released by the state-run Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). The demonstrations marked the 35th anniversary of Saba Saba - Swahili for "Seven Seven" - a historic July 7, 1990 uprising against single-party rule, now commemorated annually as a symbol of resistance to repression and economic injustice.

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In a statement on Tuesday, the KNCHR said 107 people were wounded, 532 arrested, and two others reported missing. The agency "strongly" condemned all human rights violations and urged "accountability from all responsible parties, including police, civilians, and all other stakeholders."

The Kenyan National Police Service (NPS) said on Monday that 63 people - 52 police officers and 11 civilians - were injured during the demonstrations, which it claimed were infiltrated by "criminals." At least 19 vehicles - 12 belonging to the police, three to government agencies, and four to civilians - were damaged, according to the NPS.

The UN rights office has called for independent investigations into the "use of force" by Kenyan police against anti-government protesters.

Late last month, 19 people were killed nationwide during demonstrations marking the first anniversary of last year's youth-led protests against a controversial finance bill - later withdrawn by the government - and the custodial death of Albert Ojwang, a blogger and teacher, according to the KNCHR. Six people, including three policemen, were charged with murder in connection to Ojwang's death, although they all pleaded not guilty.

In response to Ruto's crackdown order, Kenya's former vice president, Rigathi Gachagua, told him to "relax," as no one wants to remove the "government unconstitutionally."

"We want to face you on the ballot in August 2027, so just relax," Gachagua said, and threatened to take Ruto to the International Criminal Court.

Gachagua was elected alongside Ruto in 2022 but was impeached last year on charges of corruption, inciting ethnic divisions, and fueling anti-government unrest.