President William Ruto on Tuesday seemed to have made an about-turn on commission of extrajudicial killings by police officers during the recent opposition anti-government demos.

Speaking at State House, Nairobi during the signing of performance contracts by CSs, Ruto pledged not to allow the country to slip back to the era of extrajudicial killings and impunity.

His remarks depart from his earlier stand a week ago when he lauded police officers for how they handled Azimio protests amid wide condemnation of killing and maiming protesters.

“On the swearing in into office, I made a commitment that our country is going to anchored on the rule of law. We disbanded the notorious criminal gang that was in the police that presided over those criminal activities.

Ruto’s position on Tuesday comes as human rights organizations accused police of engaging in excesses and shooting dead more than 30 people following the anti-government demos.

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Led by Kenya Human Rights Commission, the human right lobbies said those killed were unarmed demonstrators and were shot at close range terming them intentional executions.

“And I want to commend our security agencies for being professional in how they have handled all these people. Criminals must be dealt with firmly, decisively and make sure everybody respects the rule of law and we don’t encourage impunity of any nature,” said Ruto on July 20.

Opposition outfit Azimio La Umoja had blamed the shooting dead of protesters on alleged killer units formed within the National Police Service, a claim denied vehemently by police.

Many Kenyan are waiting to see if Ruto will push for prosecution of the officers involved in the recent extrajudicial killing of protesters that attracted local and international censure.