NYERI, Kenya — President William Ruto has directed the National Police Service (NPS) to intensify the crackdown on political goons, urging security agencies to pursue not only individuals involved in violence but also those financing and organising them.
Speaking at the Kiganjo Police Training College in Nyeri on Friday during the passing-out parade of more than 6,000 police constables, Ruto said the growing use of young people to perpetrate political violence posed a serious threat to national security ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The President challenged police officers to expedite investigations into politically motivated violence and ensure those behind such incidents are held accountable.
“No politician is entitled to a political militia. No candidate has the right to intimidate citizens. No political objective can justify violence,” Ruto stated.
Ruto said politically sponsored violence had no place in Kenya’s democracy and called on security agencies to take firm and impartial action against individuals who finance, organise, incite or participate in violence.
“Politically sponsored violence has no space in our democracy. The National Police Service and all other security agencies should therefore take firm, lawful and impartial action against anyone who finances, organises, incites or perpetrates political violence,” Ruto stated.
The President also reminded police officers that maintaining security must go hand in hand with protecting constitutional rights, particularly freedom of expression and legitimate political dissent.
“You must neither criminalise legitimate dissent nor excuse violence committed under the cover of politics. We must secure the election without compromising the democracy we are securing,” Ruto stated.
His remarks come amid heightened political activity as parties and leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 polls. Ruto and senior members of his administration have previously faced accusations from political opponents of facilitating violence against critics, allegations the government has rejected.
Murkomen Says New Officers Are Better Prepared
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the more than 6,000 recruits had undergone an improved training programme designed to prepare them for emerging security challenges.
“The curriculum that we have, the one that has been used to train these officers, is modern. It has been improved, and we believe the officers graduating today are better trained to serve this nation under the challenges that we face now,” Murkomen stated.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, meanwhile, urged the new officers to maintain professionalism and integrity while carrying out their duties.
“I urge the graduands to always uphold professionalism and integrity in the discharge of their policing duties. They will be expected to adhere to the Constitution and the rule of law at all times,” Kanja stated.
Ruto further called on officers deployed to maintain law and order to exercise restraint and respect individual freedoms.
“Security and freedom are neither competing aspirations nor are they at loggerheads. In a constitutional democracy, security must protect public order without diminishing individual liberty,” Ruto stated.
The President also pledged to continue implementing security-sector reforms as the government seeks to equip law enforcement agencies to deal with modern and emerging forms of crime.
The newly trained officers are expected to strengthen the National Police Service as the country prepares for an increasingly active political period ahead of the 2027 General Election.
