President Ruto orders police to pursue financiers of political goons

Speaking at the Kiganjo Police Training College in Nyeri as he presided over the passing out of more than 6,000 constables, the Head of State noted that increased goon activity in the country's political space posed a serious threat to national security, months to the General Election.

The President tasked law enforcers with ensuring Kenyans' fundamental rights and freedoms, as enshrined in the Constitution, are protected, especially those touching on freedom of expression.

Seeking expedited investigations from the National Police Service when he presided over the 149th police pass-out parade at Kiganjo Police Training College in Nyeri on Friday, the Head of State challenged the service to not only go after those sent to disrupt political activities but also those facilitating them.

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

Warning that the continued misuse of youthful Kenyans to perpetrate violence was increasingly becoming a threat to national security ahead of the General Election, President Ruto reminded political leaders that their activities were being closely monitored.

“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 Head of State, who, alongside senior officials in his administration, has been accused of facilitating violence against his opponents, also sounded a warning to police officers deployed to maintain 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,” Ruto stated.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the newly trained officers had received improved training 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 urged the officers to uphold professionalism and integrity in the discharge of 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.

The Head of State further called on the officers to exercise restraint when called upon to maintain law and order.

“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 committed to continuing with reforms in the security sector as it transitions to conform with the needs of fighting modern and emerging crime.