President Ruto outlines police reforms as 59th AP recruits pass out

By Maurice Momanyi

President William Ruto has called on newly graduated Administration Police officers to uphold professionalism, accountability and respect for human rights as they begin serving Kenyans.

Speaking on September 4, 2026, during the 59th Passing-Out Parade for Administration Police Recruits’ Course 1/2025 at the National Police College Embakasi ‘A’ Campus, Nairobi, Ruto said the graduation marked the transition from training to national responsibility. The recruits had undergone nine months of rigorous training.

The President said Administration Police officers occupy a critical position in Kenya’s security architecture, particularly in areas facing difficult terrain and complex security threats. He cited border security, protection of critical installations and the fight against banditry, terrorism, livestock theft and organised crime among their responsibilities.

Ruto reminded the graduating officers that their authority does not come from their rank, weapons or uniforms, but from the Constitution and ultimately the people of Kenya.

He urged them to uphold professionalism and discipline, reject corruption, embrace transparency and accountability, and respect human rights in their day-to-day duties. He also emphasised the need to protect constitutional freedoms, including freedom of expression, association, assembly, demonstration and political participation.

Ruto used the occasion to outline measures his administration says it has undertaken to modernise the National Police Service.

He said the government has completed a three-phase salary review that increased the entry-level basic salary of police constables by 36%, alongside adjustments across other ranks. The government is also expanding police housing, strengthening healthcare through the Usalama Cover and improving mobility, protective equipment, specialised operational assets and air support.

According to the President, since 2022 the National Police Service has built 252 police stations, recruited and trained 10,000 officers, while more than 31,000 serving officers have received additional professional training.

He also said the Multi-Biometric Identification System has been operationalised and police hire services made available through e-Citizen, with work continuing on the National Police Service Information Management System, including the Digital Occurrence Book.

Ruto further said the National Police Service Referral Hospital at Mbagathi has been completed and the Forensic Laboratory constructed and is being progressively equipped.

The President also addressed the controversy surrounding the newly unveiled General Duty police uniform, saying it should be viewed as part of the wider police reform programme rather than an isolated intervention.

He said the uniform was developed following consultations with police officers and the public, taking into account professional identity, operational suitability and the dignity of officers.

However, Ruto acknowledged that a uniform by itself cannot transform policing, saying reforms must ultimately be judged by the quality of service citizens receive.

He said the government welcomes scrutiny of the police reform programme, including decisions and expenditure, insisting that accountability must be based on facts, evidence and truth.

Ruto urged Kenyans to question government decisions and expose wrongdoing while avoiding condemning individuals without being heard. He said honest scrutiny strengthens institutions and protects public resources.

The President said the ultimate test of police reforms would not be speeches, policies, equipment, technology or uniforms, but the experience of ordinary citizens.

He said reforms should be reflected in officers responding when called, applying the law without fear or favour, refusing bribes, protecting vulnerable people, respecting human dignity and treating all Kenyans equally before the law.

Ruto challenged the new officers to maintain integrity even when they are not being watched, reminding them that their conduct would determine the level of public confidence in the police service.

He concluded by urging the officers to “serve with courage, but never without restraint; exercise authority, but never without accountability; and enforce the law, but never without humanity.”