President William Ruto has asked police officers to exercise restraint when dealing with Kenyans to create a cohesive environment.

Speaking when he presided over the launch of the National Police Service and Prisons Service strategic plans for 2023-2027, President Ruto appealed to citizens to also respect officers on duty to avoid cases of police excesses.

"Kenyans should experience a shift in policing from practices characterized by extrajudicial illegalities, impunity, and excesses to an approach defined by adherence to due process and the rule of law, fostering excellent relations with communities and inspiring trust among citizens," he said.

UK High Commissioner to Kenya Neil Wigan added: "When police officers are visibly held accountable, it not only protects citizens but safeguards the integrity and reputation of the entire Kenya law enforcement community."

The President, who was quick to say the government will defend police action conducted in accordance with the law, however, urged Kenyans to also exercise restraint when dealing with police officers who are on duty.

"It cannot be the case that while our security men and women are doing their utmost, they are being attacked, they are being vilified, they have no support. It cannot work, we have to strike a balance," Ruto stated.

With the rising cases of femicide, the Head of State has commended the police for taking quick action against perpetrators and challenged parents and religious groups to take their rightful position in tackling what he termed as a morality issue.

"As parents, me being one of them, as citizens, the religious community, we must step up because there is a moral issue around what is going on in that space, and parents need to do more, and the religious groups need to do more," he noted.

The President also affirmed his commitment to ensuring matters of welfare, housing, and transport are catered for.

"The prison service will begin to lease their land. We have seen the benefit of commercialization, and we have discovered the government has huge land that can be leased for commercial gains," he said.

On his part, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said: "We have started in police stations by giving priority to training, mental health, and fighting corruption."

The government has pledged to use Ksh.28 billion in the modernization program to equip security personnel.

The Head of State challenged parents and religious leaders to take action on cases of femicide, saying it is not just a security issue but also borders on morality.

The remarks by President Ruto follow the violent scenes in Nairobi Central Business District three days ago between police officers and protesters demonstrating against the rise of femicide cases in the country, which continue to elicit sharp reactions.

Police have been on the receiving end for using excessive force to quell demonstrations.

Similar scenes were witnessed during the anti-government protests between June and August.