Police must be accountable for their actions - Ruto

President William Ruto has distanced his administration from past cases of abductions and extrajudicial killings, noting that his administration will not tolerate such acts and that law enforcement agencies must take full responsibility in the future.

Speaking during a joint media interview with Mt Kenya radio and TV stations on Monday, Ruto said he had already taken decisive action by disbanding a rogue police unit that had been implicated in the killings.

“My stance on enforced disappearances is well known because, in the past, many Kenyans lost their lives in senseless killings, with their bodies being dumped in River Yala, and that is something I could not allow to continue under my watch,” Ruto said.

“The moment I assumed office, I disbanded the police squad that was carrying out these atrocities because I could not allow a situation where innocent Kenyans continued to be abducted and executed without accountability, and that is why I took action immediately.”

The president made it clear that his administration bears no blame for the past atrocities but emphasised that moving forward, law enforcement agencies must take full responsibility for their actions.

“I want to confirm that now and in the future, matters of abduction and extrajudicial killings shall not be part of my administration. The police know what they must do and what they cannot do,” he said.

Ruto also defended his governance approach, pointing out that his government had granted the police full financial autonomy by removing their budget from the Office of the President. He argued that this move was a game-changer in ensuring the independence of the police force and shielding it from political influence.

“I am aware that there have been allegations regarding abductions, and I have made my position clear to the police—even though they operate independently—because, since taking office, I have told them that I will not dictate to them how they should conduct their work,” he said.

“That is precisely why I removed their budget from my office and placed it directly under their control, so they are fully in charge of their own financial decisions.”

By granting the police full control over their financial operations, the Head of State explained that his administration had effectively distanced itself from police decisions, ensuring that officers act on their authority without interference from the executive.

“I made it clear to them that whoever they decide to arrest is entirely their decision, and I will not be the one to tell them to go after a particular person, nor will I interfere in their investigations,” he said.

“That is why I told them that if they choose to take someone to court, they should not come to me for guidance because that is their responsibility as an independent arm of government.”

Police budget

He further elaborated that his government’s reforms had ended the previous system, where the police budget was controlled by the President’s office, making them susceptible to political interference.

“For this, I do not want anyone to use me as an excuse if problems arise because, in the past, the police budget was controlled from the President’s office, which meant that they were answerable to the executive. But I have now ensured that they have full autonomy,” he said.

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“That is why I have told them that the position of my administration, and indeed the position of the President of Kenya, is that enforced disappearances and unlawful abductions will not be tolerated.”

Ruto was categorical that the police must take full responsibility for their actions and ensure that rogue officers who engage in abductions and other unlawful acts are held accountable.

He revealed that the matter had already been discussed at the cabinet level and that the government had issued clear directives on what was acceptable and what was not.

“The police must take responsibility and deal decisively with those within their ranks who engage in unlawful abductions because I have been thoroughly clear with them on what they need to do when handling matters of enforced disappearances and judicial abductions,” he said.

“We have already discussed this extensively in cabinet, so they know exactly what is required of them and what is completely off-limits.”