President William Ruto has challenged newly trained General Service Unit (GSU) officers to uphold the law, remain politically neutral and protect constitutional rights as they take up duties that will place them at the centre of Kenya’s response to serious security threats.
Speaking during the passing-out parade at the National Police College Embakasi ‘B’ Campus in Nairobi on Friday, Ruto told the officers to serve with courage, discipline and integrity, while exercising restraint and using only the force necessary when dealing with threats.
The graduates completed nine months of intensive physical, tactical and classroom training before being released to join active service.
Ruto said the officers were taking on a major responsibility in protecting Kenyans and national assets, noting that the GSU has a specialised role within the National Police Service.
He said the unit is called upon when the country faces serious security challenges such as terrorism, banditry, armed crime and threats to strategic installations.
The President told the officers that their work would at times demand that they place themselves between members of the public and people posing a danger.
“A republic that asks this much of its police officers must also be prepared to stand with them. It must recognize their sacrifice, equip them for the dangers they confront, care for them when they are injured, support the families who wait for them at home, and stand firmly behind officers who perform their duties professionally.”
Beyond responding to major security threats, Ruto said the GSU would support other police formations during emergencies, protect vital national assets and handle high-risk protection and escort assignments.
He urged the officers to conduct themselves in a manner that gives confidence to law-abiding citizens while taking firm action against people who threaten national security.
“When the GSU deploys, the public must see a force that is formidable against those who threaten the republic, disciplined in the face of danger, and reassuring to the innocent and law-abiding citizens.”
Ruto said public trust would be an important part of the officers’ work because confidence in the police encourages citizens to report crimes, share information, support investigations and help stop threats before they grow.
He cautioned that misconduct by one officer could affect the reputation of the wider police service and make it harder for officers who carry out their duties professionally to earn public cooperation.
“Trust will be among your greatest operational assets. When citizens trust the police, they report crime, share intelligence, assist investigations, and help prevent threats before they materialize. When officers act improperly, they do more than injure the individual. They weaken cooperation, damage the standing of the national police service and make the work of every good officer more difficult.”
The President also spoke about the role of the police during elections, as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election.
He instructed the new officers to stay out of partisan political contests and protect citizens exercising their constitutional rights. At the same time, he warned political leaders against involving police officers in partisan activities or unlawful actions.
Ruto pointed to Article 37 of the Constitution, which protects the right to peaceful and unarmed assembly, demonstrations, picketing and petitions.
“Article 37 protects the right of every person peacefully and unarmed to assemble, demonstrate pickets, and present petitions, peaceful dissent is part of constitutional democracy and must be protected.”
He, however, told the officers that maintaining public order would require them to separate peaceful democratic activities from acts involving violence, intimidation, looting or destruction of property.
Ruto further directed the officers to operate within the law when dealing with security threats and to show restraint when using force.
“Be brave enough to confront danger. Be disciplined enough to obey the law. Be wise enough to use no more force than is necessary. Let the innocent find safety in your presence. The vulnerable find protection, and those who threaten our people face justice firmly through the law.”
The new GSU officers join the National Police Service as it works to increase its operational capacity. According to the Kenya Police Service, the wider police recruitment drive has resulted in more than 6,000 newly trained officers in 2026, with the recruits prepared for deployment across the country.
Ruto told the graduates that their actions would shape how Kenyans view the police service and urged them to remain impartial while upholding constitutional principles throughout their careers.
“Go wherever the republic sends you. Stand firm when danger rises. Remain calm when pressure mounts. Serve without fear, favor, or prejudice. Protect Kenya with courage, discipline, and honor, and remain faithful always to the constitution.”