
Kenya's president has urged police to "shoot in the leg" anyone involved in looting after dozens of people were killed in anti-government protests on Monday.
President William Ruto intervention comes after the death toll from Kenya’s latest anti-government protests on Monday surged to 31, according to the state-funded human rights commission.
Police on Monday clashed with protesters on the outskirts of Nairobi after officers put up roadblocks to stop people entering the capital, as well as in 17 counties across Kenya. More than 100 people were injured and over 500 arrested amid widespread destruction to property, including supermarkets.
Monday's death toll is the highest number of deaths in a single day since protests began earlier this year, with 50 people reported to have been killed over the past two weeks.
A demonstration was held in Nairobi last month over the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody, after a post-mortem found that his death was likely to have been caused by assault.
Tensions rose further when a police officer shot a civilian at close-range during a demonstration against police brutality.
Thousands across the country then participated in protests on 25 June, marking the one-year anniversary of huge anti-tax protests in which 60 people were killed.
President under pressure
Ruto on Wednesday claimed the anti-government protests have been politically motivated, accusing his rivals of wanting to overthrow his government, and said that he would not allow "anarchy".
"You can call me whatever names you want to call me, but I will make sure there is peace and stability in Kenya by all means," Ruto said.
"This is a democratic country, and the citizens are the ones who determine its leadership through an election. We cannot decide leadership through violence," Ruto said.
Some businesses said that looting during the protests had caused them significant losses.
Ruto's comments urging police to "shoot in the leg" people involved in destruction of property echoed remarks made by Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen last week, when he urged police to "shoot on sight" anyone approaching police stations during protests.

Civil groups have called on police to exercise restraint during the demonstrations, which have been led by youth and civil society groups and motivated by anger over police brutality, alleged government corruption and rising living costs.
Many demonstrators have called for Ruto's resignation.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk urged Kenyan authorities to address the root causes of the protest. His spokesperson Ravina Skamdasini renewed calls for "calm and restraint, and full respect for the freedom of expression, associated and peaceful assembly."
The Kenya National Cohesion and Integration Commission on Tuesday urged politicians to avoid stoking ethnic divisions and condemned the police for excessive use of force.