Kenya’s President William Ruto has defended security forces ahead of Wednesday’s June 25th nationwide protests, in the wake of concerns over police brutality.
Speaking at State House on Tuesday, Ruto voiced unwavering support for the country’s security agencies, insisting that they should not be vilified or intimidated as they work to maintain peace.
The head of state, warned that undermining police officers posed a risk to national stability, saying law enforcers deserved respect and full backing in the execution of their duties.
“For the people who want to undermine and intimidate our security agencies, I am telling them that you are doing the wrong thing. Our security men and women deserve every support for them to secure our nation,” he said.
He emphasised that without peace, security and stability, Kenya risks plunging into chaos.
Ruto’s remarks were echoed by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who was also in attendance.
The Interior CS, cautioned against planned protests on June 25th, noting that calls to 'occupy' State house should not be taken lightly.
" The most unfortunate scenario happened last year around this time, on June 25. People just tweeted that they would invade Parliament or State House, and they walked free. That cannot happen again. Only in Kenya do people declare intentions to invade Parliament, the Judiciary, or State House and still walk free. In other countries, like the US, you’d be picked from your home by the Secret Service." he said.
Murkomen, accused unnamed political figures of orchestrating protests to cause mayhem in the country, urging security agencies to deal with them.
" We have received notice from political actors who once stood for law and order but are now planning chaos, buying machetes, distributing them to youth to cause violence. The police must be ruthless in dealing with such criminals. Kenya must be a country of law and order, not chaos." said Murkomen.
He added that the government is ready to engage with families who lost their lives in protests last year.
" We are ready to meet the families of those who unfortunately lost their children as a result of political acts, to talk with them and see how best we can support them."
Ruto Faces Backlash.
President Ruto’s remarks did little to calm public outrage, as many Kenyans, particularly youth, took to social media to accuse him of ignoring the rising toll of police violence during protests.
Kenyans on X questioned why the President appeared to demand respect for the police without addressing what they described as rampant misconduct and unprovoked brutality by officers.
One user noted that public respect must be earned through service, not fear.
“Who should make the first move - citizens respecting the police, or police earning the respect of citizens through protection and dignity?. Police brutality still overshadows the police service. How do they think they can rebuild policing as a force for protection, not fear?”
Another one said respect was a “two-way traffic”, arguing that civilians continue to be killed by police with impunity.
“The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) reported yesterday 20 more deaths in the hands of the police. In Mwiki, another person was shot live on camera. Our brother at KNH is fighting for his life on a machine… Respect follows Newton’s law of motion,” an X user wrote.
Others also criticised the President for choosing to focus on the protection of businesses over the rights of demonstrators. One commentator said Ruto had missed the opportunity to assure young people that the police would safeguard them during peaceful protests, instead portraying the security forces as a shield for property rather than people.
Kenyans also pointed to the poor working conditions of rank-and-file officers, accusing the government of using and discarding them. Some expressed sympathy for low-ranking officers, saying they, too, were victims, underpaid, overworked, and housed in deplorable conditions, yet ordered to turn on fellow citizens.
The outrage comes on the eve of nationwide Gen Z protests expected on Wednesday to mark the anniversary of last year’s youth-led demonstrations. Activists say the protests are aimed at demanding accountability and justice for victims of police abuse, which they claim remains unaddressed.
GEN Z protests
The recent protests stem from long-standing misrule, executive abuses, economic oppression, and systemic violence endured by the people. After 60 years of independence, a new public aims to dismantle colonial power structures, advocating for a reimagining of Kenya centred on democratic principles and citizen empowerment, in alignment with the vision of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.
The youth of Kenya have historically been viewed as expendable, used for political gain by the ruling class. President William Ruto, elected in 2022 with support from the youth-oriented “Hustler movement’’, pledged grassroots political change from bottom up but instead contributed to a reinforcement of the existing status quo.
This is a generation that weathered a global pandemic, bearing the harsh impacts of COVID-19 policies that worsened Africa’s ongoing health and economic crises. Emerging into adulthood amidst post-COVID desolation, they witnessed the decapitation of vital sectors like Health and Education, as public funds were diverted to service foreign debt and modernising the policing infrastructure. As the fresh-faced victims of an irredeemably corrupt political elite, they inherit a debt-ridden nation lacking accountability, feeling the burden of a government that arrogantly exploits the vulnerable through taxation.
The crux of the struggle is in reclaiming the soul of Kenya from a generation that became malevolent during public duty. The Gen Z-led movement isn’t just fighting for their stifled futures; they are striving to free their parents from bondage, aiming to sculpt a bright future for all Kenyans, regardless of affiliations, nurturing a shared vision of freedom and prosperity.
