Rogue police officers will be held accountable, says Ruto

President William Ruto has vowed that his administration will protect citizens from rogue police officers and hold to account any officer who does not operate under the rule of law.

 “We want a nation that is based on the rule of law,” Ruto said Friday, while presiding over the 20th anniversary ceremony of the Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA), marking two decades of efforts to curb the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.

Referencing recent incidents of police brutality, the president echoed remarks by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on the need to address misconduct within the police service.

“As has been said by the security minister here, we will equally protect citizens from rogue police officers and make sure that we hold them to account,” he added. 

President Ruto vows to hold rogue officers accountable pic.twitter.com/M6QjIAxMTt

— The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) June 13, 2025

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However, he commended the majority of police officers for what he described as professionalism and dedication to duty. He pledged increased government support, including new funding to improve police operations.

“In this year’s budget, we have made additional provisions to ensure that we equip our police men and women with modern tools and facilities, to secure the lives, property, and assets of Kenyans,” he said.

“We must professionalize our police service and remove officers who abuse their authority.”

Murkomen defended the police force against growing allegations of abuse, saying that the misconduct of a few should not tarnish the entire institution.

“We will walk that tight rope, to make sure that few individuals  who violate the law are brought to justice, but also protect all the other police officers who are doing a good job” said Murkomen.

But, the CS also stated that accountability must cut both ways. “As we hold our police officers accountable, we will also hold civilians to account who are misusing their civilian authority.” 

The remarks were made as President Ruto led the destruction of more than 6,000 illegal firearms in Nairobi, where he warned against violence and directed agencies to begin signing all relevant arms control treaties.