President William Ruto (Photo courtesy Nairobi Leo)

Nairobi, Kenya – President William Ruto used his 2024 State of the Nation Address to confront a controversial and long-standing issue in Kenya: illegal arrests and extrajudicial actions that have characterized his administration, especially after Finance Bill protest.

Speaking before a joint session of Parliament and a nationwide audience, Ruto vowed to uphold the rule of law and ensure that justice prevails in all matters involving law enforcement and security operations.

He expressed deep concern over reports of individuals being apprehended without due process, and in some cases, disappearing without a trace.

“Illegal arrests and extrajudicial actions have no place in a democratic society that values justice and the sanctity of human life,” Ruto declared. “The rights enshrined in our Constitution must be respected and protected by all state institutions, without exception.”

The President emphasized the need for accountability within the police force and other security agencies, pledging to reform these bodies to align them with constitutional principles and international human rights standards.

Calls for comprehensive investigations and accountability

Following Ruto’s address, several advocacy groups applauded his stance as a step in the right direction. However, they stressed that words must be matched with concrete actions to dismantle the culture of impunity that has persisted in law enforcement circles.

President William Ruto’s administration has faced several accusations of extrajudicial killings and arbitrary arrests, especially in the context of protests and law enforcement actions. Human Rights Groups like Amnesty International and the Kenya Human Rights Commission have documented cases where suspects were allegedly executed or detained without trial.

Protests Against the Finance Bill 2024: During demonstrations against the controversial Finance Bill, human rights groups reported widespread violations, including at least 60 deaths and numerous enforced disappearances. Reports also documented over 650 arbitrary arrests and excessive use of force by police, particularly in informal settlements and during nighttime operations. Some protesters were reportedly shot dead, and allegations of abductions surfaced despite government denials​.

2023 and 2024 Protests Over the Cost of Living: During protests over rising costs of living and tax hikes, rights groups accused police of killing over 45 people in 2023 alone. Many of these killings occurred during crowd control and crime-fighting operations, further highlighting concerns about police impunity and excessive force​.

Dismantling the Special Service Unit (SSU): While President Ruto pledged to end extrajudicial killings and dismantled the notorious SSU implicated in numerous enforced disappearances and murders, cases of police brutality and unlawful killings have persisted under his administration​

These allegations have drawn criticism from human rights organizations, who urge comprehensive investigations and accountability for such abuses. While the government has denied systemic involvement, it has acknowledged isolated incidents and expressed intentions to uphold human rights and reform law enforcement.

Plans for Reform

President Ruto outlined specific measures aimed at addressing these issues, including:

Enhanced Oversight: Strengthening the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to ensure transparency and accountability in investigations of police misconduct.

Judicial Reforms: Expediting the hearing of cases involving human rights violations to deliver justice swiftly to victims.

Community Policing: Promoting collaboration between law enforcement and local communities to rebuild trust and ensure that policing serves the people.

Training and Sensitization: Human rights training for police officers should be introduced to foster professionalism and respect for the rule of law.