President William Ruto has directed the National Police Service to take firm action against politicians accused of deploying young people to perpetrate violence, destroy property and endanger lives.
Speaking on Monday during the graduation of chiefs and assistant chiefs at the National Police College Embakasi ‘A’ Campus in Nairobi, the President said lawlessness would not be tolerated and instructed Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja to ensure all perpetrators of hooliganism and incitement are identified and prosecuted.
“We cannot allow those using youth as goons to cause chaos and death to continue doing so,” Ruto said.
“I have instructed the Inspector-General of Police that these individuals should face severe legal action to end hooliganism and stop activities that threaten the security of our country.”
Ruto stressed that Kenya’s progress depends on stability, security and accountable leadership, adding that development under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda can only thrive in an orderly environment.
He urged chiefs and assistant chiefs—who serve at the frontline of government operations—to help identify cattle rustlers, bandits and criminal gangs responsible for insecurity in various regions.
“It is not possible for criminals to operate freely when government officers are present in every part of the country,” he said.
The President also announced a whole-of-government approach to tackling drug abuse, alcoholism and gender-based violence, saying Kenya must protect vulnerable groups.
“Women are our mothers, sisters, wives and daughters, and we must protect them,” he said.
Ruto commended the nearly 6,000 graduating chiefs and assistant chiefs, noting that their training forms part of efforts to professionalise the public sector and strengthen execution of government programmes.
He directed that all public officers undergo mandatory training within six months of employment.
He said chiefs will play a central role in educating households about government initiatives, including education reforms, affordable housing and healthcare.
They are also expected to counter misinformation and support the orderly rollout of housing projects.
Highlighting their contribution to national data systems, Ruto praised chiefs for raising the number of registered farmers from 300,000 to 7.1 million and supporting the registration of 27 million Kenyans under the Social Health Authority.
He said livestock farmers would be the next focus of government registration efforts.
The President outlined ongoing measures to empower micro, small and medium enterprises through credit facilities such as the Hustler Fund, NYOTA and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund.
He said 12,155 young Kenyans had already benefited from more than Sh300 million under NYOTA.
He added that the programme supports 90,000 youth through on-the-job experience placements and recognises the prior skills of 20,000 others, while advancing access to government procurement.
Ruto also highlighted progress in expanding digital public services, noting that more than 27,000 government services have been digitised.
