Ruto tells new police officers to protect rights as government defends reform programme

President William Ruto has challenged newly graduated Administration Police officers to exercise their authority with restraint, accountability and respect for human rights, saying the success of ongoing police reforms will ultimately be judged by how ordinary Kenyans experience policing.

Speaking during the 59th Passing-Out Parade for Administration Police Recruits’ Course 1/2025 at the National Police College, Embakasi ‘A’ Campus in Nairobi on Thursday, Ruto said police authority comes from the Constitution and must be exercised in service of the public.

The officers graduated after nine months of training.

“The authority you carry does not originate from your rank, your weapon or your uniform. It emanates from the Constitution, belongs ultimately to the people of Kenya, and is entrusted to you for one purpose: service,” Ruto told the recruits.

The President said the Constitution requires the National Police Service to uphold professionalism and discipline, prevent corruption, maintain transparency and accountability, respect human rights and retain public confidence.

He specifically reminded officers that Kenyans have constitutional rights to freedom of expression, association, assembly, demonstration and political participation, saying those freedoms “must be respected and protected.”

His remarks place the conduct of individual officers at the centre of the government’s police reform agenda, with Ruto arguing that investments in equipment, technology and infrastructure will mean little if they do not improve citizens’ interactions with the police.

Police constable entry salary up 36%, Ruto says

Ruto said the government had completed a three-phase police salary review, raising the entry-level basic salary of a police constable by 36 per cent, alongside adjustments across other ranks.

He said the reforms were based on recommendations of the National Taskforce on Police Reforms and cover remuneration, housing, healthcare, training, equipment, technology, infrastructure and institutional capacity.

According to the President, the National Police Service has built 252 police stations since 2022, recruited and trained 10,000 officers and provided additional professional training to more than 31,000 serving officers.

The government is also expanding police housing and improving mobility, protective equipment, specialised operational assets and air support.

Ruto cited the Usalama health cover and completion of the National Police Service Referral Hospital at Mbagathi among measures intended to improve officers’ welfare.

He also said the police Forensic Laboratory had been built and was progressively being equipped.

Police digitisation gathers pace

The President said technology was becoming another major component of police reforms.

The Multi-Biometric Identification System has been operationalised, while police hire services have been made available through e-Citizen, he said.

Work is also continuing on the National Police Service Information Management System, which includes plans for a Digital Occurrence Book.

Ruto linked better policing to the wider economy, arguing that security allows businesses to operate, farmers to access markets, children to attend school and investors to commit capital.

Ruto defends new police uniform, welcomes scrutiny

The President also addressed the new uniform for General Duty officers unveiled last week, saying it should not be viewed as an isolated intervention.

According to Ruto, the uniform forms part of the wider police reform programme and followed consultations with police officers and members of the public.

“A uniform alone cannot transform policing, but professional identity and pride are part of building a modern, disciplined and effective Police Service,” he said.

He also called for scrutiny of expenditure associated with police reforms, saying every decision and “every shilling spent” should withstand public examination.

“We welcome scrutiny of every decision and every shilling spent,” Ruto said, adding that accountability should be based on “facts, evidence and truth.”

He urged Kenyans to question government decisions and expose wrongdoing where it exists, while cautioning against condemning individuals before they are heard.

‘True measure’ of police reforms

Ruto said the ultimate test of the reform programme would not be new uniforms, technology, policies or equipment but the behaviour of officers when dealing with citizens.

“It will be measured by whether an officer responds when called, applies the law without fear or favour, refuses a bribe, protects the vulnerable, respects human dignity and treats every Kenyan equally before the law,” he said.

Addressing the graduating officers directly, Ruto warned that they would face situations in which their integrity would be tested away from public scrutiny or supervision.

“The true test of an officer is not only what you do when the nation is watching, but what you do when only your conscience, your oath and the law stand between what is right and what is easy,” he said.

The President also highlighted the role of the Administration Police in securing borders and strategic installations and responding to banditry, terrorism, livestock theft and organised crime.

He said officers must combine operational strength with restraint and community engagement, including helping prevent conflicts and resolve disputes.

“Serve with courage, but never without restraint; exercise authority, but never without accountability; and enforce the law, but never without humanity,” Ruto told the graduates.