A major shake up has hit President William Ruto’s security team after yet another breach during a public event reignited concerns over the President’s safety during open crowd engagements.
Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat announced changes within the Presidential Escort Unit and elite police formations following Sunday’s security scare in Ganze, Kilifi County, where a young man carrying a Bible managed to break through security and approach President Ruto while he was addressing a public gathering.
The incident happened during a thanksgiving ceremony for Youth Affairs Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs and was captured on camera, with videos quickly spreading online and raising fresh questions over gaps in presidential security arrangements.
Inspector General Douglas Kanja described the breach as a matter of “grave national concern” and confirmed that immediate changes had been made within the President’s protection team as investigations continue.
“I have immediately constituted a special investigations team to conduct a swift, thorough, and uncompromising inquiry into how this breach occurred,” Kanja said.
The latest incident has now added to a growing list of security scares involving the Head of State during public engagements.
According to reports, President Ruto has in recent months faced multiple close call incidents, including a shoe throwing incident during a rally in Migori, another breach in Wajir where a man reportedly attempted to rush toward him, and previous disruptions during public events in Mombasa and Nairobi.
The Kilifi incident has particularly drawn attention because the man reportedly managed to make physical contact with the President before security officers intervened.
Witnesses said the man emerged from the crowd, walked toward the stage holding a Bible and briefly interacted with the President before officers restrained him.
Despite the scare, Ruto appeared calm and even stopped officers from rough handling the man.
“Leave him alone. Leave that young man alone. He doesn’t have a problem,” the President was heard saying.
The reshuffle has now placed fresh focus on the risks facing presidential security teams as Ruto continues embracing highly interactive public rallies, roadside stopovers and church events that place him closer to crowds compared to previous administrations.
Security analysts now say balancing accessibility and presidential safety is becoming one of the biggest challenges facing the Presidential Escort Unit, especially during open air functions with large crowds.
