“No One Is Above the Law”: President Ruto Vows Action Against Rogue Police Amid Ojwang Death Outcry

Ngong, Kenya — June 13, 2025

In a moment charged with symbolism and political urgency, President William Ruto on Thursday issued one of his strongest public statements yet against police misconduct, vowing to bring “rogue” officers to justice and restore trust in the country’s security institutions. Speaking during a high-profile event in Ngong, where thousands of illegal firearms were publicly destroyed, Ruto seized the moment to address a nation still reeling from the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang, who died under suspicious circumstances while in police custody.

“We will equally protect our citizens from rogue police officers and make sure we hold them to account,” Ruto declared, drawing applause from a crowd of security officials, civil society leaders, and members of the public. “No one is above the law.”

The President’s remarks come at a time of intense national unrest, with protests erupting across Nairobi and other major cities, demanding accountability, justice, and systemic reform. The case of Albert Ojwang — a well-known digital activist whose death is now under investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) — has become a flashpoint in Kenya’s ongoing struggle with police brutality and impunity.

A Nation Demanding Justice

The outrage following Ojwang’s death has been palpable. Protesters, many of them young and politically active, have flooded city streets with chants of “Justice for Albert” and “No Justice, No Budget”, a reference to the controversial timing of the incident, which coincided with the national budget reading.

Ruto’s speech is being widely interpreted as both an acknowledgment of the growing public fury and an attempt to reset the narrative — shifting from denial to decisive leadership. His promise to act decisively against law-breaking officers marks a significant rhetorical departure from past administrations, which have often deflected criticism of the police or dismissed allegations as isolated incidents.

Symbolism and Substance

The setting for Ruto’s declaration — a large clearing in Ngong where a cache of over 8,000 illegal firearms was being incinerated — was not accidental. The President used the occasion to emphasize his administration’s broader push to strengthen internal security, while also drawing a clear line between protecting the nation and abusing state power.

“You cannot fight crime by becoming criminals yourselves,” Ruto said, directly addressing police officers. “The shield of the uniform does not make you immune to justice.”

Security analysts say the symbolic destruction of illegal weapons, combined with the President’s pledge, sends a message not only to criminal networks but also to the police service itself — signaling that unchecked power will no longer be tolerated under his watch.

Walking a Political Tightrope

While Ruto’s remarks have drawn praise from some quarters, they also present a political gamble. He must now walk a delicate line between supporting the police — a key institution in his administration’s security apparatus — and demanding accountability from within its ranks.

Opposition leaders and human rights watchdogs have cautiously welcomed the President’s remarks but warned that words must now be matched by transparent investigations, real prosecutions, and lasting institutional reform.

“We’ve heard promises before,” said Beatrice Wanjala of Amnesty International Kenya. “What we need now is action. That starts with full accountability for Albert Ojwang’s death and structural changes to ensure no Kenyan faces the same fate.”

A Promise Under Watch

With Police Constable James Mukhwana already in custody and more potential arrests looming as IPOA deepens its investigation, the coming days will test the sincerity of the President’s pledge. Ruto’s administration has also come under increasing pressure to support IPOA fully, ensure CCTV evidence is recovered, and prevent interference from within the police command structure.

The President ended his speech with a firm message: “We must build a Kenya where justice is not a privilege, but a guarantee.”

Whether that vision becomes reality remains to be seen. But for now, Kenya’s head of state has placed himself at the center of a national reckoning — one that could define the future of policing, justice, and public trust in the country for years to come.