Ruto Challenges New AP Officers on Integrity

President William Ruto has urged newly graduated Administration Police officers to uphold integrity, respect the law and protect the rights of Kenyans as they begin their service.

Ruto spoke on Friday, September 4, 2026, during the 59th Passing-Out Parade for Administration Police Recruits’ Course 1/2025 held at the National Police College in Embakasi ‘A’ Campus, Nairobi County.

The President said Kenya’s security depended heavily on the conduct and character of officers entrusted with state authority.

He said the graduation marked the end of nine months of intensive training and the beginning of a greater responsibility to the country.

Ruto told the officers that their primary duty would be to maintain peace, enforce the law and protect the dignity and rights of citizens.

He described the Administration Police Service as an important component of Kenya’s security system, particularly in areas facing difficult terrain and complex security challenges.

The President said Administration Police officers were responsible for securing borders and critical installations while helping the country confront banditry, terrorism, livestock theft and organised crime.

He also recognised their role in working with communities to prevent conflicts, settle disputes and promote peaceful coexistence.

Ruto reminded the new officers that the authority they would exercise did not come from their uniforms, ranks or weapons. He said it was derived from the Constitution and entrusted to them by the Kenyan people.

He urged them to uphold professionalism and discipline while rejecting corruption and maintaining transparency and accountability in their work.

The President also emphasised the need for the police to respect constitutional freedoms, including freedom of expression, association, assembly, demonstration and political participation.

Ruto used the occasion to highlight measures being implemented under the government’s police reform programme.

He said the reforms were aimed at creating a professional and accountable National Police Service with better equipment, technology, infrastructure and support for officers.

According to the President, the government has completed a three-phase salary review that increased the entry-level basic salary of police constables by 36 per cent. He also said housing projects were being expanded and healthcare improved through the Usalama Cover.

The government was also working to improve police mobility, protective equipment, specialised operational assets and air support.

Ruto said 252 police stations had been constructed since 2022, while 10,000 officers had been recruited and trained during the same period.

He added that more than 31,000 serving officers had received additional professional training. The National Police Service has also operationalised the Multi-Biometric Identification System and introduced police hire services through e-Citizen.

Work on the National Police Service Information Management System, including the Digital Occurrence Book, is also continuing.

The President further said the National Police Service Referral Hospital at Mbagathi had been completed and that a forensic laboratory had been constructed and was being equipped.

He said the new General Duty police uniform unveiled the previous week was part of the wider reform programme.

Ruto said the uniform had been developed following consultations with police officers and the public, with consideration given to professional identity, operational needs and the dignity of officers.

The President also defended public scrutiny of police reforms, saying every decision and expenditure involving public funds should be open to examination.

He said accountability required facts and evidence and urged Kenyans to question government decisions while avoiding premature judgments.

Ruto told the graduating officers that the real test of police reforms would be the experience of citizens when dealing with officers.

He said good policing should be reflected in timely responses to calls for assistance, impartial enforcement of the law, rejection of bribes and protection of vulnerable members of society.

He challenged the officers to maintain their integrity even when they were working without supervision.

Ruto said the officers would face situations where doing what was right would be difficult, urging them to rely on their oath, training and the Constitution.

He concluded by calling on the new officers to exercise authority responsibly and enforce the law with humanity as they take up their new assignments across the country.