Ruto: We will end goonism in the country, police ready for crackdown
By Aloys Michael, July 23, 2026President William Ruto has vowed that the government will end goonism in Kenya, saying the National Police Service is ready to lead a crackdown aimed at restoring law and order across the country.
Speaking on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at State House, Nairobi, while hosting artisans from the capital, the President said Kenya had reached a common understanding on the need to eliminate goonism, which he linked to political violence, intimidation and public disorder.
“These goons, there are people who have been sympathetic to them. We are all now in agreement that we will end goonism in the country,” Ruto said.
The President said the government’s anti-goonism campaign is intended to ensure that every Kenyan can conduct business, participate in politics and move freely without fear of violence or intimidation.
Police crackdown
Ruto expressed confidence in the National Police Service, saying officers were fully capable of carrying out their constitutional mandate of protecting lives and property as the government steps up efforts to eliminate criminal gangs.
He said the government would apply the same determination used in past security operations against terrorism and cattle rustling to tackle goonism and restore public security.
“We are going to have a secure country and all Kenyans will run their businesses without fear. The same way we dealt with terrorists and cattle rustlers is the same way we will deal with goons,” he said.
The President maintained that all Kenyans should be free to engage in economic activities and politics without interference from violent groups.
“All Kenyans will be free to do their business and do politics without interference of goons,” he added.
Why it matters
Ruto’s remarks come amid heightened scrutiny over organised groups accused of disrupting political rallies, public demonstrations and official events. The groups have been linked to assaults, intimidation and destruction of property, raising concerns over political violence, public security and the rule of law.
The President pointed to what he described as the government’s success in tackling terrorism and banditry, saying the same resolve would now be directed at organised criminal gangs.
“Those terrorists who made life difficult for us, we annihilated them. Bandits and cattle rustlers are not anymore. Those who burnt businesses during demonstrations are no more also,” he said.
The issue has attracted criticism from political leaders, civil society organisations and human rights groups, who have called for impartial investigations and accountability for those responsible for organising or financing acts of political violence.
Ruto’s remarks signal that the fight against goonism is set to become a key part of the government’s security agenda, with the National Police Service expected to spearhead efforts to protect businesses, political activities and public gatherings from criminal gangs and violence.