Do Not Wait To Use Your Gun- Ruto To Police

President William Ruto has instructed police officers not to hesitate in using force against the security threats posed by gangs and bandits across the country.

Ruto who spoke during a meeting with regional police chiefs called on the police officers to contain the criminals who have been causing havoc in different parts of Kenya before the insecurity situation worsens compared to recent months.

He directed the officers to use every means at their disposal to deal with the criminals that have been harming ordinary Kenyans amid the ongoing crackdown on the culprits.

President William Ruto (front center) with other leaders and Police Commanders at State House on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. /PCS

"We cannot allow criminals to overrun our cities or any part of Kenya. We have given you the instruments, you have the backing of the law to make sure we deal with criminals firmly, decisively, conclusively, and in accordance with the law and the constitution.

"If any officer is in danger of criminals, they must use their firearms to deal with the criminals. Don't wait for the officers to be killed by criminals so that you take action. We must deal with criminals before they deal with our officers," he stated.

He called on the police to prioritise the safety of ordinary Kenyans rather than threaten them through harassment and arbitrary arrests.

“Protect especially the ordinary people, the rest we can protect ourselves but for them they are vulnerable. Do not go harassing them,” he stated.

Ruto further reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the police officers in their mandate and reminded the officers of the need to ensure independence in their operations; to serve Kenyans from all walks of life, no matter their political or ethnic standing.

On Tuesday, November 15, the Head of State deployed officers from the General Service Unit (GSU) and the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) to Nairobi streets following the rampant surge in insecurity within the capital. A section of Nairobi residents who spoke to Viral Tea confirmed spotting some of the GSU officers along the city streets.

"It is very important that they do not allow those units to become units unto themselves.

"What we have seen from the scandals in the last three weeks essentially is that the SSU (Special Service Unit) became essentially a law unto itself and in many cases broke the law with impunity," Amnesty International Kenya Executive Director, Irungu Houghton warned President Ruto.

Houghton urged the state to improve the economy, as the high cost of living was blamed for the spike in criminal activity.

"We know that this is, primarily, arising from the cost of living and the fact that people are finding it very difficult to survive. So, in many cases, they are distressed crimes," he said.

The GSU and RDU will reinforce the security agents patrolling the city.

GSU officers on patrol in Nairobi. /NTV.TWITTER