Ruto pledges support for police officers, warns Gen Z against intimidating them
He, instead, called on the public to support the law enforcement officers as they discharge their duty of securing the nation
President William Ruto has vowed to protects police officers against intimidation by members of the public while discharging their duties.
Speaking during a breakfast meeting with players, the technical bench and officials of Kenya Police Football Club, the newly crowned winners of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League at State House Nairobi, Ruto warned the youths from demeaning them during the planning commemoration of the first anniversary of last year’s Gen Z protests against taxes contained in the Finance Bill, which resulted in the death of 63 people.
He, instead, called on the public to support the law enforcement officers as they discharge their duty of securing the nation.
“You cannot intimidate the police. You cannot use force against the police or insult or just threaten them. If you threaten them, you are threatening the nation because they are our frontline defenders of our rights as Kenyans and of the right of this nation to continue being secure,” Ruto stated.
The president referenced the contribution of the service men and women in protecting the nation and together with its citizens as he added that without peace there is no nation.
“Without peace and security, we do not have a nation. The people who put their lives on the line to make sure that our families, properties, and nation are safe and stable are our security agencies,” he asserted.
The president has assured the police of support from the government if they act in accordance with the human rights and the law.
“To every police officer, from the constable to the man on the beat, I give you my assurance that the government of Kenya will support and stand by you as you secure our nation and keep our families safe,” the Head of State said.
“This administration will stand by them so that they can discharge their responsibilities within the law and make sure that the nation is safe. We have enough infrastructure to make sure that this happens within the law,” he added.
This comes on the backdrop of increased violence by the police even as Kenyans have been brutally murdered and injured by officers from the National Police Service.
Human rights defenders and the international community has recently come out to condemn the brutality, enforced disappearance and murder.
The statement by the President also comes as the young people plan to march in the Nairobi CBD tomorrow and assemble at Uhuru Park in remembrance of the fallen youths who died twelve months ago.
Amid tensions, police in the city have said they will ensure both the protesters and other Kenyans going about their business.
Previous protests have been marked by heavy clampdowns from anti-riot police leading to deaths and injuries while goons take advantage to loot business and rob from those caught in the melees.
