NAIROBI, Kenya Aug 28 – President William Ruto has warned politicians against hiring gangs to disrupt political meetings, intimidate opponents or perpetrate violence, saying no political objective can justify the use of force.

📻 Breaking It Down

Ruto directed the National Police Service and other security agencies to take firm, lawful and impartial action against individuals who finance, organise, recruit or incite people to engage in political violence.

The President spoke on Friday during the passing-out parade of more than 6,000 police recruits at the National Police College main campus in Kiganjo, Nyeri County.

He challenged security agencies to go beyond arresting young people recruited to cause violence and pursue those who finance, recruit, transport and pay them.

📌 What You Need to Know

“Do not arrest only the young person holding a weapon while allowing the person who recruited, transported and paid him to escape responsibility,” Ruto said.

The President said no politician is entitled to maintain a private militia and no candidate has the right to intimidate citizens.

His remarks come as Kenya prepares for the August 10, 2027 General Election, which he said must be conducted in an environment where political competition is based on ideas, policies and leadership rather than hired gangs, intimidation and ethnic mobilisation.

Ruto said political parties must be free to organise and candidates allowed to campaign without violence or threats.

He added that citizens must be free to assemble, listen, question, criticise and choose their leaders.

“The police and other security agencies have a clear constitutional responsibility: To protect the democratic space in which Kenyans exercise these freedoms,” he said.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya