Ruto puts warns rogue police officers, vows to protect Kenyans

President William Ruto has vowed to protect Kenyan officers from rogue police officers.

He has consequently put rogue officers on notice, stating they will be held personally accountable for their actions.

He was speaking at the National Police Leadership Academy in Ngong’, Kajiado County, where he presided over the destruction of more than 6,000 illegal firearms recovered between 2022 and 2025.

“We also commit to protect Kenyans from rogue police officers. Criminal elements in uniform must be held to account”, he pledged.

His remarks came in the wake of the death of 31-year-old teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody at the Central Police Station under suspicious circumstances, sparking protests in the capital, Nairobi.

In a separate and equally disturbing incident, a seven-month pregnant woman reportedly miscarried while in police custody at a station in Nyandarua, under unclear circumstances.

Several police officers have been interdicted in connection with the two separate incidents, with some already arrested and set to face murder charges.

At the same time, the head of state hailed Kenyans who voluntarily surrendered their arms for responding positively to the amnesty programmes and community disarmament campaigns.

“The destruction……signals our total focus on tackling insecurity and violence in our communities. I commend both our security agencies and responsible citizens, including religious and community leaders, whose civic-mindedness and patriotism have made this national milestone”, he noted.

He added, “The fact that many Kenyans have voluntarily surrendered illegal firearms is a strong indication that our peace and security strategy is working. It reflects growing public confidence in the government’s resolve to maintain order and protect lives”.

He further directed all State agencies that are custodians of government-issued firearms to uphold strict accountability and ensure proper management and control of arms under their charge.

“ Any form of pilferage, diversion, or misuse of State firearms must be prevented with utmost vigilance. If you have genuine security concerns, the proper course of action is to engage with law enforcement agencies. We are here to listen, to respond, and to ensure your safety through lawful and structured means,” he said.

Kenya’s efforts to recover illicit small arms and light weapons are aligned with the African Union’s “Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2030” initiative, led by the Regional Centre on Small Arms and Light Weapons.

Ruto further called on all citizens who may possess illegal firearms to take advantage of the current amnesty and surrender the weapons to the authorities.