KISII, Kenya – In a rare acknowledgment of state excesses, President William Ruto admitted that members of Kenya’s security services have committed acts of excessive and extrajudicial violence.
Speaking during his New Year’s address at the State Lodge in Kisii, President Ruto emphasized that while such instances cannot be ignored, efforts to ensure accountability through due process are already underway.
“It cannot be denied that there have been instances of excessive and extrajudicial actions by members of the security services. At the same time, it must also be acknowledged that due process is underway in appropriate institutions to ensure accountability,” Ruto stated.
This acknowledgment marks a significant step in addressing a contentious issue that has plagued Kenya’s security apparatus for years.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly called for greater transparency and accountability, citing numerous reports of unlawful killings and abuses, particularly in the context of protests and counterterrorism operations.
President Ruto underscored the complexity of balancing security enforcement with the protection of constitutional rights.
He pointed to the challenges faced by security forces during public demonstrations, where criminal elements often exploit the situation.
However, he reiterated that public safety and order must take precedence over what he termed “unchecked liberty.”
Ruto also used the occasion to urge a broader national conversation on the intersection of rights, freedoms, and collective responsibility.
He criticized what he described as “radical, individualistic, and self-centered interpretations of rights and freedoms” that risk undermining democracy and the public good.
The president’s remarks come amid heightened scrutiny of Kenya’s human rights record, with domestic and international observers calling for independent investigations into allegations of police brutality and illegal abductions.
Speaking during his New Year’s address at the State Lodge in Kisii, President Ruto emphasized that while such instances cannot be ignored, efforts to ensure accountability through due process are already underway.
“It cannot be denied that there have been instances of excessive and extrajudicial actions by members of the security services. At the same time, it must also be acknowledged that due process is underway in appropriate institutions to ensure accountability,” Ruto stated.
This acknowledgment marks a significant step in addressing a contentious issue that has plagued Kenya’s security apparatus for years.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly called for greater transparency and accountability, citing numerous reports of unlawful killings and abuses, particularly in the context of protests and counterterrorism operations.
President Ruto underscored the complexity of balancing security enforcement with the protection of constitutional rights.
He pointed to the challenges faced by security forces during public demonstrations, where criminal elements often exploit the situation.
However, he reiterated that public safety and order must take precedence over what he termed “unchecked liberty.”
Ruto also used the occasion to urge a broader national conversation on the intersection of rights, freedoms, and collective responsibility.
He criticized what he described as “radical, individualistic, and self-centered interpretations of rights and freedoms” that risk undermining democracy and the public good.
The president’s remarks come amid heightened scrutiny of Kenya’s human rights record, with domestic and international observers calling for independent investigations into allegations of police brutality and illegal abductions.
