President William Ruto has directed Kenya’s National Police Service to pursue not only individuals involved in politically sponsored violence but also those who finance, organise or facilitate it.

Ruto issued the directive on Friday while presiding over the 149th police pass-out parade at Kiganjo Police Training College in Nyeri, where more than 6,000 constables graduated.

The President said increasing use of young people to perpetrate political violence posed a threat to national security ahead of the General Election.

“No politician is entitled to a political militia. No candidate has the right to intimidate citizens. No political objective can justify violence,” Ruto said.

He called for expedited investigations into politically motivated violence and urged security agencies to take firm and impartial action against those responsible.

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“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,” he said.

Ruto Warns Against Abuse Of Police Powers

Ruto also told police officers to protect Kenyans’ constitutional rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression, while maintaining public order.

“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,” he said.

Ruto has himself, together with senior officials in his administration, faced accusations of facilitating violence against political opponents. The supplied material does not provide evidence substantiating those allegations.

The President further urged officers to exercise restraint when responding to situations involving public disorder.

“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,” he said.

New Officers Receive Updated Training

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the newly graduated officers had undergone an updated training programme designed to prepare them for emerging security threats.

“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 said.

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja urged the graduates to maintain professional standards and respect the Constitution and the rule of law.

“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 said.

Ruto also reaffirmed his commitment to reforms within the security sector, saying the service must continue adapting to modern and emerging forms of crime.