President William Ruto has vowed to stamp out organised gangs linked to political violence, saying his government will back the National Police Service to restore security and protect citizens from intimidation.
Speaking at State House in Nairobi today Thursday while hosting artisans from the capital, the President said Kenya had reached what he described as a national consensus that violence and hired gangs have no place in politics or public life.
“These goons, there are people who have been sympathetic to them. We are all now in agreement that we will end goonism in the country,” Ruto said.
He insisted that every Kenyan should be able to work, run a business and participate in politics without fear.
“We are going to have a secure country and all Kenyans will run their businesses without fear. The same way we dealt with terrorists and cattle rustlers is the same way we will deal with goons,” he said.
The President expressed confidence in the National Police Service, saying officers were capable of carrying out their constitutional duty to protect lives and property.
“I have confidence in the National Police Service that they will deliver in their mandate to make sure that our country is secure,” he said.
Ruto also pointed to what he described as the government’s success in tackling terrorism and banditry, arguing that the same determination would now be directed at criminal gangs.
“Those terrorists who made life difficult for us, we annihilated them. Bandits and cattle rustlers are not anymore. Those who burnt businesses during demonstrations are no more also,” he said.
His remarks come as concern continues to grow over the presence of organised groups accused of disrupting political rallies, infiltrating public demonstrations and intimidating opponents. Reports of violence linked to such groups have sparked criticism from political leaders across the divide, civil society organisations and human rights groups.
Many have called for impartial investigations into those responsible for organising, financing or directing politically motivated violence, arguing that accountability is essential to uphold the rule of law.
Security analysts have also warned that the continued use of hired gangs during political contests risks undermining democratic institutions, weakening public confidence in elections and discouraging peaceful political participation.
The government’s latest pledge signals a renewed focus on law enforcement as pressure mounts to address political violence ahead of the country’s next electoral cycle.
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