UDA MP apologizes over protesters’ shoot-to-kill remarks
Belgut MP Nelson Koech has issued an apology months after endorsing a shoot-to-kill approach against protesters, expressing regret and embarrassment.
Belgut MP Nelson Koech has issued an apology months after endorsing a shoot-to-kill approach against protesters, expressing regret and embarrassment.
Speaking on Thursday, February 5, the MP said he regretted the remarks, explaining that they were made impulsively and without consideration of their implications.
“I want to apologize; it is not my character and I am totally embarrassed by that statement. It came in the heat of the moment and I should have been more careful with how I made my statement,” he said.
At the height of the Gen Z protests in July 2025, Koech called for the use of deadly force against violent protestors.
Speaking in Kericho on Thursday, July 10, 2025, Koech insisted that law enforcement officers must not hesitate to kill if their lives or the lives of citizens are in danger.
“President William Ruto said shoot but do not kill; I want to repeat it here, in fact, shoot and kill. You cannot have someone coming after your life and you do not want to shoot and kill.
Details of Kalonzo trip to the USA
Edwin Sifuna on borrowed time as ODM SG; MP Kaluma hints at imminent removal
GSU officer allegedly stabs girlfriend to death
Concerns raised after IEBC meets Ruto’s Chief of Staff, Felix Koskei
“You cannot have someone who is going to terrorize you and your family and you are telling me you cannot shoot and kill. You cannot have someone who is coming after your business, armed with weapons, and you want to tell me that you cannot shoot and kill,” he said.
Koech went on to defend police officers from criticism, arguing that they are constitutionally empowered to use firearms when their lives are at risk.
“The constitution and the Police Act have given the police powers to use their firearms where they have evaluated the risk of their life being in danger,” he added.
Koech further justified the use of lethal force against those attempting to breach highly protected areas like State House.
He claimed such actions cannot be considered ordinary protests but rather criminal acts deserving the harshest response.
“Anyone who wants to go 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,” he further said.
Why I joined DCP after dumping UDA – Nelson Havi
KNEC releases 2024 TVET examination certificates
Nelson Havi joins Gachagua’s DCP
EALA MP Kanini Kega joins Gachagua’s DCP
Follow us
