Shut Your Mouths or Exit the Govt, MP Zaheer Jhanda Blasts ODM Amid Opposition to Ruto’s Shooting Orders

Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhanda has launched a scathing attack on ODM leaders criticizing President William Ruto’s controversial directive to police to shoot protesters in the legs, telling them to either stop their criticism or resign from the broad-based government.

The UDA lawmaker’s explosive remarks come as the opposition intensifies its condemnation of President Ruto’s recent order directing security agencies to shoot anyone caught destroying or attempting to set fire to police stations in the leg, a directive that has sparked widespread outrage among human rights groups and political leaders.

Taking to social media platforms, Jhanda questioned the moral authority of ODM leaders to lecture the Kenya Kwanza administration on governance and human rights issues.

“Those ODM leaders criticising the government should not threaten or lecture us on how to run the government or on human rights. They have never won any elections,” he posted.

The MP’s confrontational stance highlights the growing tensions within Kenya’s broad-based government, where ODM members occupy key Cabinet positions despite their party’s criticism of the administration’s handling of recent protests and security matters.

President Ruto’s July 9 directive ordering police to shoot protesters targeting businesses in the legs to incapacitate them without causing fatal injuries has drawn sharp criticism from across the political spectrum.

ODM leaders have pointed out the fatal risks of such orders, citing the case of Rex Masai, a young protester who died after being shot in the leg during recent demonstrations.

The directive has sparked outrage among rights groups, with President Ruto publicly directing police officers to shoot individuals caught destroying property in the legs, a statement that comes amid ongoing protests over police brutality and corruption.

Jhanda’s most pointed challenge came in his dare to ODM critics to clarify their position within the government.

“If they’re uncomfortable in the broad-based government, then muhame mbio [leave quickly],” he stated, using a Swahili phrase that translates to departing hastily.

The MP went further, challenging the sincerity of ODM’s criticism by daring party leaders to instruct their Cabinet members to resign.

“Ask your ministers to resign, and then we shall take you seriously,” he added, effectively calling their bluff on their opposition to the administration’s policies.

Jhanda’s outburst exposes the fragile nature of Kenya’s broad-based government arrangement, where opposition members serve in Cabinet positions while their party maintains a critical stance toward government policies.

The MP’s challenge to ODM leaders to either support the government fully or exit entirely reflects the mounting pressure on the hybrid political arrangement.

The controversy over the shooting orders has already drawn criticism from former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and opposition leader Raila Odinga, with rights groups condemning the directive as potentially deadly.

Jhanda’s provocative stance represents the hardline position within the ruling coalition, demanding absolute loyalty from all government participants regardless of their party affiliations.

The MP’s challenge to ODM leaders to “shut their mouths or exit the government” sets the stage for a potential political showdown that could reshape Kenya’s current governmental structure and test the durability of the broad-based administration experiment.