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President William Ruto has once again promised to address concerns over abductions extra-judicial actions by the police while emphasizing the need for accountability and a balanced approach to national security matters.

He acknowledged progress in national security through modern tools and technology but stressed the importance of respecting citizens’ rights during security operations.

Ruto called for a collective effort to reinforce moral values in society, particularly in light of rising violent crimes threatening to tear the national fabric apart, with affected families pairing with rights groups to lead demos anti the government over recent spate of abductions.

He called for patience and urged for unity and determination to face challenges, emphasizing the need for responsible citizenry and robust democracy.

“I renew my commitment to building a better future for Kenya for all of us. All I need is your relentless support,” said the President in his new year address to the nation in Kisii State Lodge on Tuesday night to usher in 2025.

Ruto said: “We have also made undeniable progress in securing the nation. Consistent investment in expanding capabilities of our security service, equipping them with efficient, modern tools, and empowering them through technology has significantly enhanced our capacity to combat crime and ensure public safety.”

He said the strides state has made against terrorism, banditry, cattle rustling, cybercrime, and other offences will not only be sustained but will continue to be enhanced in the future.

“It is important to acknowledge that, in the process of securing the nation, our security services often interact with citizens exercising their democratic freedoms and fundamental rights,” said Ruto.

They must continuously strike a delicate balance between delivering robust security responses and enabling the enjoyment of these rights and freedoms.

“In situations involving serious threats to public order, human life, and safety, this balance can be particularly challenging, and knowing this, criminal elements often seek to exploit protests and demonstrations to further their schemes,” said the Head of State.

He asserted; “It cannot be denied that there have been instances of excessive and extrajudicial actions by members of the security services. At the same time, it must also be acknowledged that due process is underway in appropriate institutions to ensure accountability.”

That said, it is crucial to remember that every freedom has its limits and that public safety and order must always supersede the desire for unchecked liberty, Ruto said.

He explained that Kenyans must ensure that our pursuit of rights and freedoms does not compromise our collective or individual safety, nor should we allow criminals to exploit constitutional rights to harm and destroy others.

“In the spirit of fostering a candid national conversation, I urge every critical stakeholder to reflect deeply on the failures that have led people to adopt radical, individualistic, and self-centred interpretations of rights and freedoms, interpretations that often seem fundamentally opposed to the rights of others and the collective good,” said Ruto.

This tendency to promote a definition of rights and freedoms that undermines democracy and the public interest reflects a broader collapse of our value system and a serious strain on our moral fabric.

“I also believe that this disregard for moral values, including compassion, responsibility, and decency, contributes to violent crimes, such as femicide, perpetrated by men against women,” he said.

These are clear signals that our moral fabric is at risk of decay, exacerbated by various factors, including the manipulation of digital technology, particularly social media, to amplify anti-social behaviour and erode moral values, said Ruto.

“The maintenance of our social fabric and the promotion of a strong value system is a collective responsibility we can not run away from,” he stressed.

This task has always required and will continue to require the involvement of a wide spectrum of society, agencies, and institutions, with the family unit being the most critical.

The broader community, faith-based organisations, the education system, and law-and-order institutions exist to support and complement the family’s fundamental role in nurturing compassionate, responsible citizens who are empowered to propel our nation forward.

“As a society, we have a legitimate expectation that the next generations, benefiting from the accumulation of socio- economic, scientific, and technological advancements, will bring greater energy, better ideas, clearer vision, and a stronger commitment to our shared values,” said Ruto.

He added:”We should be humane, responsible, and well-grounded citizens whose actions promote unity, patriotism, democracy, the rule of law, and our rights and freedoms, rather than sabotaging them.”

Further: “ I have previously extended an invitation to all stakeholders, in their diversity, to join the national conversation and explore the best ways to implement an all-of-society strategy and approach to counter moral decay and reset our nation’s moral compass.”

ODM’ leaders led by acting party leader Prof Anyang Nyong’o had warned of the party joining anti demos against the state if it did not stop abductions.

Nyong’o called for an end to abductions a day after former Prime Minister Raila Odinga also vehemently opposed alleged police abductions and asked the President to stop the Vice while daring Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to resign for failing to contain the Vice and take responsibility as the police boss.

Kanja had on his part denied police involvement in abductions amid fingers that pointed at the police force.
He said.” Police has a duty to arrest offenders and charge them while keeping and maintaining law and order. All else is propaganda and malice. Our role is distinct to ensure order or civility.”