MP Koech expresses regret over past ‘shoot to kill’ remarks on protesters
The statement shows how Kenyans discuss the need to develop security measures which need to protect citizens rights during protest situations.
Belgut MP Nelson Koech. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
MP Nelson Koech from Belgut issued an apology for his earlier comments which he made eight months before when he seemed to back the use of fatal violence against young demonstrators. The National Assembly Defence Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee chairwho holds this position as a lawmaker stated his deep regret for making those comments which he acknowledged as inappropriate.
Koech from his schedule appeared on Citizen TV to display a different viewpoint while he stated his opposition to any illegal violence which targets young citizens of Kenya. He described himself as a person of measured character who actually believes in different values from those which his earlier statements expressed. He explained that he made those statements under intense situational stress because he was expressing the feelings which he experienced at that particular moment.
Koech accepted responsibility for his comments although he claimed that people had either misunderstood him or had taken his remarks out of their proper context. He offered an unreserved apology about the need to protect human life which he saw as a constitutional right of every Kenyan citizen and as a principle that guides his Christian beliefs. He explained that both the Constitution and the Bible uphold the sanctity of human life which he said he firmly believes in.
“I am completely embarrassed by that statement,” he said during the interview, adding that he should have chosen his words more carefully. Leaders have the obligation to communicate their ideas with responsible speech especially when they need to discuss critical matters which link to life and security.
The apology represents a major transformation from his previous position in July 2025 when he defended police methods to manage violent protest groups. The police force received an order from President William Ruto to shoot violent protesters who approached them in order to protect themselves from direct threats which they perceived as life-threatening. Koech stated that police officers should have permission to use deadly force in situations that needed this type of response.
He showed support for President’s order through his remarks which praised the President’s correct strategy to restore order in the country. He justified his position by pointing to incidents of property destruction and loss of life which he attributed to violent elements infiltrating otherwise peaceful protests against police brutality.
The security situation at the time had reached its peak of concern because anniversary protests were scheduled to take place on June 25. The situation raised concerns within government about security and public safety.
Koech’s latest comments, however, signal a more conciliatory and reflective position. The MP used his apology together with his human life value statement to create a distance between himself and statements which would support excessive force usage. The statement shows how Kenyans discuss the need to develop security measures which need to protect citizens rights during protest situations.
The current situation shows police officers need to conduct themselves properly during protests but human rights organizations continue to demand police officers to maintain self-control while they handle their policing duties. The public apology from Koech introduces a fresh aspect to the national discussion because it demonstrates how political leaders assess various national matters before they retract their previous public declarations.
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