NAIROBI, Kenya- President William Ruto has ordered the police to pursue the people who finance and organise political violence, warning that security agencies should not stop at arresting young people allegedly hired to disrupt political meetings.
Speaking on Friday at the passing-out parade of more than 6,000 new police officers at the National Police College in Kiganjo, Nyeri County, Ruto issued a pointed warning ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“Do not arrest only the young person holding a weapon while allowing the person who recruited, transported, and paid him to escape responsibility,” the President said.
Ruto said Kenya must confront the growing use of hired gangs in political contests, describing politically sponsored violence as unacceptable in a democracy.
“Politically sponsored violence has no place in our democracy,” he said.
The President directed the National Police Service and other security agencies to take “firm, lawful, and impartial action” against anyone who finances, organises, incites or carries out political violence.
His remarks come amid growing political debate over alleged organised groups disrupting rallies and attacking political opponents ahead of the 2027 elections.
Ruto’s warning was particularly significant because he went beyond condemning the young people often seen at the centre of political clashes.
He placed responsibility on those who recruit, transport and finance them.
“No politician is entitled to a private militia. No candidate has the right to intimidate citizens. No political objective can justify violence,” he said.
The President also reminded the police that their role during the election period would be to protect democratic participation rather than suppress political competition.
“The police and other security agencies have a clear constitutional responsibility: To protect the democratic space in which Kenyans exercise these freedoms,” he said.
Kenya is due to hold its next General Election on August 10, 2027, and Ruto said political parties must be allowed to organise while candidates and citizens should be free to campaign, question leaders, criticise government and make their choices.
His instructions to the police also came with a warning against using the fight against violence as an excuse to suppress legitimate dissent.
Ruto cited Article 37 of the Constitution, which protects the right of every person, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions to public authorities.
At the same time, he said the constitutional right to protest does not extend to arson, looting, assault, intimidation or destruction of property.
“You must neither criminalise legitimate dissent nor excuse violence committed under the cover of politics,” he told the new officers.
The President’s message reflects the difficult balance the police will face as the country moves towards the 2027 election: protecting political freedoms while preventing violence and intimidation.
He urged the officers to remain impartial, disciplined and accountable, telling them that their authority comes from the people and their loyalty belongs to the Constitution.
The President also warned the recruits against corruption, bribery, collusion with criminals, excessive force and abuse of authority, saying such conduct betrays the Constitution and weakens public confidence in the police.
His remarks came a day after he used the 16th anniversary of the 2010 Constitution to acknowledge allegations of unlawful arrests, enforced disappearances and excessive use of force during protests.
