President Ruto Directs Police to Pursue Sponsors of Political Violence

President William Ruto has directed the National Police Service (NPS) to take action against individuals organizing and financing political violence in the country. 

Speaking on Friday, August 28, during the passing-out parade of police recruits at Kiganjo, President Ruto raised concern over the growing use of goons to disrupt political events. 

The Head of State made it clear that politically sponsored violence has no place in the country and directed the police to pursue the sponsors of the violence. 

“In recent months, we have witnessed growing concern about hired gangs and young people recruited, transported, and paid to disrupt political meetings, intimidate opponents, and provoke violence.

“Let me be absolutely clear on this: politically sponsored violence has no place in our democracy. The National Police Service and all our security agencies should therefore take firm, lawful, and impartial action against anyone who finances, organizes, incites, or perpetrates political violence,” Ruto said. 

President Ruto also warned politicians against forming private militias and intimidating citizens ahead of the 2027 General Election. 

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

Further, President Ruto urged politicians to compete based on ideas and policies rather than violence

“Political competition must be a contest of ideas, policies, and leadership, not a contest of hired gangs, intimidation, and ethnic mobilization. The people must decide, freely and peacefully, who will lead them,” Ruto added. 

The directive comes weeks after the Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay County marred by violence, injuries, and destruction of vehicles and property. 

NPS, in a statement after the incident, said one police officer died, and five others were injured during the incident. 

"Regrettably, several criminal incidents were recorded, including an attack on journalists performing their lawful duties, damage to five police vehicles deployed for public order maintenance, and damage to several civilian motor vehicles. 

“In addition, one police vehicle lost control, resulting in the death of its driver and injuries to five other officers," NPS stated. 

Police officers arrested 37 suspects in connection with the violence in Homa Bay and recovered several crude weapons. 

"A total of 37 suspected gang members have been arrested and were found in possession of various crude weapons, including machetes, ropes, metal rods, knives, rungus, batons and torches,” NPS said.