President William Ruto has directed law enforcement agencies to go beyond arresting hired youths and instead target the politicians and financiers backing gang violence across the country.
Speaking during the Kenya Police Service pass-out parade at the National Police College in Kiganjo, Nyeri County, the Head of State warned that politically motivated chaos poses a serious threat to national stability and democratic freedoms.
“Do not arrest only the young people holding a weapon while allowing the person who recruited, transported, and paid them to escape responsibility,” President Ruto instructed security forces. “Politically sponsored violence has no place in our democracy.”
The National Police Service (NPS) and all security agencies have been ordered to investigate, arrest, and prosecute masterminds who organize, finance, or incite violence regardless of their political standing.
President Ruto cautioned political leaders against building private networks of hired youth ahead of upcoming electoral campaigns. “No politician is entitled to a private militia. No candidate has the right to intimidate citizens,” he stated.
While emphasizing that police must distinguish between peaceful assembly and criminal activity like looting or assault, the President urged officers to safeguard citizens’ constitutional rights to assemble and express dissent.
Ruto challenged the graduating recruits to remain impartial, reject corruption, and resist political pressure.
The President’s order comes following recent cases of disruption at public and political rallies, where armed gangs were deployed to clash with opponents and attack members of the public. The administration insists that security agencies will treat political financiers of violence as threats to national security.
