Ruto orders crackdown against goons, their bankrollers

President William Ruto has directed the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, to take strict legal action against individuals, mostly politicians bankrolling vulnerable and desperate to fuel violence, warning that the government will not tolerate activities that threaten national security.

Numerously, government allied political wing has been accused for sponsoring goons notably during the anti-government youth protests in 2024 and 2025 and during political rallies dubbed as development tours within the city.

The President’s directive follows a litany of blatant such incidences including where perceived government aligned goons were seen walking side by side with the police against unarmed peaceful protesters.

In the latest incident, violent disruption linked to rival groups erupted during a thanksgiving service at PCEA Church in Kariobangi North on Sunday, November 30, 2025 attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Speaking today at the graduation of 1,837 Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs at the National Police College, Embakasi ‘A’ Campus, the Head of State emphasised that Kenya is governed by the rule of law and that those who use young men as thugs to cause chaos and harm citizens will face severe consequences.

“We are a country that follows the rule of law. Those who use young people as goons to cause chaos, fight citizens, and bring harm are people we cannot tolerate. I have already instructed our Inspector General of Police that all these individuals must face strict legal action so that we can end hooliganism and the activities that undermine safety in our nation of Kenya,” Ruto said.

The president directed Kanja to ensure that all those involved in acts of hooliganism and incitement are identified and brought to justice.

He reiterated that Kenya is a country guided by the rule of law, and the government will not allow lawlessness to compromise national security.

During the Sunday incident in Kariobangi North, police said two groups of youths, armed with crude weapons, clashed outside and inside the church, prompting officers on duty to call for reinforcements. Several people sustained injuries and required medical attention.

In a quick rejoinder to the incident, Gachagua accused the state of deploying goons to intimidate residents and political opponents, claiming the violence was a form of retaliation after the electorate rejected a UDA candidate in recent by-elections.

“For the record, William Ruto, sending goons and police to attack us at the PCEA church, Kariobangi North, today, to punish the people of Kariobangi North for rejecting your UDA Candidate, shows how desperate you are. Today, your police and goons opened fire and shot two DCP supporters who are now nursing serious gunshot wounds,” he said.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen highlighted the rising trend of politicians mobilising armed goons for events.

“There is a phenomenon that has grown in the country where politicians, when they want to go for meetings, mobilise goons to cheer them. They are carrying machetes, rungus and other things. The most important thing we have to deal with in the next few months is to make sure we deal with the issue of goons across the country, and this must be done without fear or favour, it must be done indiscriminately,” Murkomen said.

Meanwhile, President Ruto has also instructed the Interior Ministry to ensure all newly recruited chiefs and assistant chiefs complete their training within six months.

Ruto highlighted the critical role of these administrators in grassroots security and governance.

The cohort is the third to complete the revamped induction, paralegal and security management training, bringing the total trained since August 2025 to 5,892. Ruto reiterated the government’s commitment to professionalising National Government Administrative Officers and strengthening their security and legal capacities.

The training follows plans to arm vetted chiefs in border regions and other high-risk areas after completion of security assessments, training and licensing procedures.