President William Ruto during the passing-out parade of newly trained GSU recruits at the National Police College Embakasi in Nairobi on September 18, 2026/PCSPresident William Ruto has urged newly trained General Service Unit (GSU) officers to exercise restraint and ensure that the force they use in the line of duty is necessary and lawful.
Ruto said police officers must be firm when dealing with threats while respecting the law and the rights of citizens.
“Be brave enough to control danger. Be disciplined enough to obey the law. Be wise enough to use no more force than is necessary,” Ruto said.
He spoke on Friday during the passing-out parade of newly trained GSU recruits at the National Police College Embakasi in Nairobi.
The recruits had undergone specialised training at the GSU Magadi Field Campus in Kajiado County as part of their preparation for deployment across the country.
Ruto said the GSU has a specialised role within the National Police Service and is called upon when ordinary security threats develop into national security challenges.
He said the unit is expected to confront terrorism and banditry, reinforce other police formations during emergencies, secure vital installations and strategic national assets, and undertake high-risk protection and escort duties.
The President said officers must carry out these responsibilities with professionalism, courage and respect for the Constitution.
He also warned against political interference in policing as Kenya approaches the 2027 General Election.
Ruto said political competition would intensify as the election approaches, but the responsibility of the police would remain to protect democratic peace and uphold the law.
He urged political leaders not to draw police officers into partisan contests, incite violence or ask officers to carry out unlawful instructions.
Ruto also said citizens have a constitutional right to peaceful and unarmed assembly, demonstration, picketing and petition, and that such freedoms should be protected.
He said peaceful dissent should not be used as a cover for violence, intimidation or destruction of property.
“No political objective excuses criminality, and no rank or title protects anybody,” Ruto said.
The President told the recruits to protect lives and property while acting firmly and lawfully against those organising, inciting or perpetuating violence.
He said the government also had a responsibility to support police officers who put their lives at risk in the course of duty.
Ruto said this included improvements in remuneration, housing, healthcare, equipment, training and support for the families of officers who die in service.
The passing-out parade marks the transition of the recruits from training into active police service.
This keeps the facts and direct quotes intact while correcting the broken sentence around “Speaking on Friday” and tightening the overall flow.
