President William Ruto/PCSPresident William Ruto has warned against the use of hired gangs and recruited youth to disrupt political meetings, intimidate opponents and provoke violence ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking during a passing-out parade at the Kenya Police Training College in Kiganjo on Friday, Ruto said politically sponsored violence must not be allowed to take root in the country's democratic process.
“In recent months, we have witnessed growing concern about hired gangs and young people recruited, transported and paid to disrupt political meetings, intimidate political opponents and provoke violence,” Ruto said.
“Let me be absolutely clear on this. Politically sponsored violence has no place in our democracy.”
The President called on the National Police Service and other security agencies to take firm and impartial action against individuals involved in financing, organising or perpetrating political violence.
He underscored the need for those behind the recruitment and financing of violent groups to be held accountable alongside those who carry out the attacks.
“Do not arrest only the young people holding a weapon while allowing a person who recruited, transported and paid them to escape responsibility,” he said.
Ruto said political leaders should not use private militias to advance their interests or intimidate their opponents, stressing that political competition must take place within the law.
The President also cautioned candidates against using violence as a tool for political mobilisation.
“No candidate has the right to intimidate citizens. No political objective can justify violence,” Ruto said.
Ruto said political competition was a legitimate part of democracy and that parties should be allowed to organise and campaign freely, provided they operate within the law.
“The next general elections will be held on the 10th of August, 2027. Political competition is an essential feature of our democracy. Parties are at liberty to organise,” he said.
He said the responsibility of maintaining a peaceful political environment extends beyond protecting candidates and their supporters to safeguarding the rights of ordinary citizens.
According to the President, Kenyans must be able to participate in political activities without fear of intimidation or violence.
“Candidates must be free to campaign. Citizens must be free to assemble, listen, question, criticise and choose,” Ruto said.
He further placed responsibility on the police and other security agencies to ensure that political freedoms are protected during the election period.
“The police and other security agencies have a clear constitutional responsibility to protect a democratic space in which Kenyans exercise their freedoms,” he said.
As the country heads towards the 2027 elections, Ruto said political competition should remain centred on citizens' freedom to make choices, maintaining that violence and intimidation have no place in the democratic process.
