President William Ruto/PCS
President William Ruto has acknowledged the existence of excessive and extrajudicial actions by some members of the security services.
Giving his end of year speech at the Kisii State Lodge on Tuesday, Ruto however reassured Kenyans that due process is being followed to ensure accountability.
The President underscored the importance of balancing individual rights with the need for public safety and order.
“It cannot be denied that there have been instances of excessive and extrajudicial actions by members of the security services,” Ruto said.
“At the same time, it must also be acknowledged that due process is underway in appropriate institutions to ensure accountability.”
The President further stressed the necessity of maintaining public order, stating that while freedoms are vital, they must not come at the expense of safety.
“Every freedom has its limits, and public safety and order must always supersede the desire for unchecked liberty,” he added.
Ruto also highlighted the potential risks of criminals exploiting constitutional rights to undermine public safety.
“We must ensure that our pursuit of rights and freedoms does not compromise our collective or individual safety, nor should we allow criminals to exploit constitutional rights to harm and destroy others,” he cautioned.
Bottom of FormRuto also raised concerns about a broader societal issue being the erosion of moral values.
He criticised the growing tendency to promote a definition of rights and freedoms that, in his view, undermines democracy and the public interest.
Ruto warned that this shift reflected a collapse in the country’s value system, which he believes is contributing to rising violent crimes, particularly femicide.
“This tendency to promote a definition of rights and freedoms that undermines democracy and the public interest reflects a broader collapse of our value system and a serious strain on our moral fabric,” he stated.
“I also believe that this disregard for moral values, including compassion, responsibility, and decency, contributes to violent crimes, such as femicide, perpetrated by men against women.”
The President called for a return to core values such as compassion and decency, noting that these values were essential for both individual well-being and the safety of the public.
He reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring accountability while safeguarding human rights and emphasised the need for societal efforts to address violence and uphold moral standards.
Ruto concluded by reaffirming his commitment to upholding both security and human rights in the country. He urged Kenyans to remain vigilant in protecting both public safety and democratic values, warning against any efforts to exploit freedoms at the expense of the collective good.