President William Ruto on Friday ordered security agencies to pursue those who recruit, organise and finance youths to perpetrate political violence, saying such individuals must be held accountable for their actions.
He directed the National Police Service to take firm action against anyone who finances, organises, and offers transport to gangs destined to cause chaos in political rallies.
A screengrab of a video shows hooded men brandishing guns and hurling tear gas canisters at residents and journalists during the Ol Kalou by-elections on July 16, 2026.
Photo credit: Pool
He told the police not only to concentrate on youths found carrying weapons during political activities, but also to identify those who facilitate them.
“Do not arrest only the young people holding a weapon while allowing the person who organized and paid them to escape responsibility,” Dr Ruto said.
The President spoke during the passing-out ceremony of 10,000 police recruits at Kiganjo Training Police College.
He was accompanied by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, his deputy Eliud Lagat, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and his Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omolo among other senior security officers.
His directive comes as political tensions rise ahead of the August 10, 2027 General Election, even as cases of goons causing mayhem during political rallies rise.
The President noted that there was growing concern over hired gangs and young people being transported and paid to disrupt political meetings, intimidate political opponents and provoke violence, saying “politically sponsored violence has no place in our democracy.”
The President also warned politicians against using private militias or intimidation to advance their interests, saying citizens must be allowed to decide who they want to lead 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.
He said political parties must be free to organise candidates and campaign, adding that citizens should be free to assemble, listen to their leaders and make a choice on who best represents their interests.
The Head of State told security agencies to secure the 2027 election without compromising democracy, and called for political competition based on ideas, policies and leadership rather than intimidation or ethnic mobilisation.
“The Constitution does not protect arson, looting, assault, lawlessness, intimidation, or destruction of public or private property,” he said.
He also cautioned the police and other security agencies, saying they had a constitutional responsibility to protect the democratic space in which Kenyans exercise those freedoms.
"Article 37 of the Constitution, which protects the right of every person, peacefully and unarmed, to assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions to public authorities," he added.
The President, however, warned politicians that there was a difference between peaceful political participation and criminal conduct, including looting, assault and lawlessness as well as destruction of public or private property.
“The responsibility of the police is to distinguish between peaceful democratic participation and criminal conduct,” he said.
Mr Murkomen said Kiganjo Police Training College would be upgraded into a university to offer advanced diploma and degree courses to equip the police force on how to combat a changing criminal environment, especially with the use of Artificial Intelligence and cybercrime.
President William Ruto and Inspector-General (IG) of the National Police Service Douglas Kanja admire the new officers' uniform during the passing-out parade of more than 6,000 police recruits at the National Police College Main Campus in Kiganjo, Nyeri County.
Photo credit: PCS
At the same time, President Ruto also launched new police uniforms which feature a maternity dress for pregnant officers.
Gender and Culture CS Hanna Cheptumo said the move reflects an important understanding that gender equality is strengthened through practical institutional measures that recognise the dignity, needs and contributions of women in the workplace.
She noted that it also resonates with the Women, Peace and Security agenda, particularly the principle of women's meaningful participation in the security sector, adding that supporting women to serve and advance within security institutions strengthens not only gender equality, but the institutions themselves.
“Women play an indispensable role in Kenya's security architecture and their meaningful participation is central to building responsive, representative and effective security institutions,” she said.
“Ensuring that institutional practices accommodate women through different stages of their professional lives and everyday realities is therefore an important dimension of gender-responsive governance,” Ms Cheptumo added.
