President William Ruto has said Kenya cannot be safe if the lives of police officers are in danger, as he pledged full government backing to protect those in uniform following the deadly June 25 protests.

Speaking during a closed-door meeting with top security officials at State House on Saturday, Ruto condemned the destruction of police property, theft of firearms, and injuries sustained by officers, calling the events unacceptable and a threat to national stability.

“It cannot be business as usual if 80 police vehicles have been burnt, when tens of police stations have been burnt, uniforms stolen, firearms stolen. It cannot be business as usual,” Ruto told the meeting attended by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, his deputies, and the Director of Criminal Investigations.

He said the safety of every Kenyan depends on the safety of police officers and promised to ensure both officers and their families are protected.

“It is my responsibility as President to make sure that you are safe, your families are safe, so that you can secure and make our country safe,” Ruto said. “And that I will do, and I will go out of my way.”

The President assured officers that he will stand with them at all times, saying criminals must not be allowed to target law enforcement without consequence.

“We cannot have a country where criminals are running after police officers, where police officers are fleeing because their lives are in danger,” he said. “If the life of a police officer is in danger, then whose life is safe?”

Ruto also reminded Kenyans that national security starts with securing the officers who protect them.

“As you do, we will equally, and we are equally obligated to make sure that we secure your families, your children and yourself,” he said. “You cannot secure others if you are not safe.”

The President noted that the government will equip police with what they need to carry out their duties safely and effectively.

“For our men and women in uniform to be safe, we must give them the equipment for them to be safe so that they can secure our nation, our families, our properties, and our children,” he added.

The high-level meeting followed nationwide protests that saw public property vandalised, businesses looted, and government installations attacked.

According to the government, five police stations were torched in Dagoretti, Molo, Ol Kalou, and other areas.

Five firearms were stolen from Dagoretti Police Post, while four others were burned at Gachui Police Post. In total, 88 police vehicles and over 90 other vehicles were destroyed.

Ruto blamed the violence on what he described as a “well-planned and unconstitutional attempt at regime change,” claiming the government has obtained evidence on the organisers and financiers. He said the demonstrations amounted to “calculated chaos” and “economic sabotage.”

The protests were led mainly by young people in towns such as Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisii, Nyeri, Nakuru, and Eldoret, demanding justice for victims of police brutality and better governance.

Police responded with heavy deployment and live ammunition in some cases. Amnesty International reported that at least 16 people were killed and over 400 injured.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said more than 300 police officers were also injured, some severely.

In a related incident, Kenya Power confirmed that a security guard was shot and killed outside Stima Plaza during the protests, adding to public concerns over the violent response.

Despite the backlash, Ruto stood firm in support of the police and called on citizens to acknowledge their role in keeping the country safe. “I will be there to make sure that they are not threatened, that they are safe. Their children are safe and their families are safe,” he said. “Because that is the only way they can, in turn, secure our nation, our families and our children.”

Ruto urged both the government and the public to stand together and protect those who risk their lives daily for the safety of others. “We have a responsibility and an obligation to make sure that those who secure our families, children and nation are secure themselves.”