President Ruto orders police to pursue sponsors and organisers of political violence ahead of the 2027 General Election. [Courtesy]
President William Ruto has ordered security agencies to pursue people who finance, organise, recruit and transport youths to perpetrate political violence, warning that those behind the violence must not escape responsibility.
The commander in chief directed the National Police Service and other security agencies to take firm, lawful and impartial action against anyone who finances, organises, incites or perpetrates political violence.
The president urged police officers not to concentrate only on youths found carrying weapons during political clashes, but also identify those who recruit, transport and pay them.
“Do not arrest only the young people holding a weapon while allowing the person who recruited, transported, and paid them to escape responsibility,” Ruto said.
The President spoke during the passing-out ceremony of 10,000 police recruits at Kiganjo, where he outlined the responsibilities of security agencies as Kenya approaches the August 10, 2027 General Election.
“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," he added.
Ruto said there was growing concern over hired gangs and young people being recruited, transported and paid to disrupt political meetings, intimidate political opponents and provoke violence.