President William Ruto’s security detail is facing intense scrutiny after Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja announced sweeping changes following a dramatic security breach during a public event in Ganze, Kilifi County.
The alarming incident unfolded during a thanksgiving gathering attended by the Head of State, when a man carrying a Bible managed to breach security barriers and move toward the President while he was addressing residents.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Saturday, May 24, the National Police Service (NPS) described the incident as a “serious security breach” and confirmed that immediate action had been taken against officers tasked with protecting the President.
“I have also ordered immediate changes to the security detail responsible for the President’s protection in order to strengthen protocols and seal any existing vulnerabilities,” IG Kanja declared.
The police chief further revealed that a special investigations team had been formed to establish exactly how the breach occurred despite the heavy security presence surrounding the President.
“As the Inspector General of the National Police Service, I have immediately constituted a special investigations team to conduct a swift, thorough, and uncompromising inquiry into how this breach occurred,” Kanja added.
According to eyewitnesses, tension gripped the gathering after the unidentified man suddenly advanced toward the presidential podium, briefly throwing the crowd and security officers into panic before he was swiftly restrained by members of the Presidential Escort Unit.
Despite the dramatic scenes, President William Ruto appeared calm and urged his officers not to rough up the man.
“Leave that young man alone,” the President was heard telling his security team moments after the confrontation.
Ruto later appeared to downplay the scare, joking that he would “deal” with the young man later, even as questions mounted over how the individual managed to get dangerously close to the Head of State.
The incident has since sparked widespread debate across Kenya, with concerns growing over the vulnerability of the President during public engagements.
Kanja maintained that although the suspect was intercepted in time and no harm was caused, any breach involving the President must be treated as a matter of national security.
“The security of the Head of State is not negotiable. Any attempt to breach established security procedures will be met with the full force of the law,” the police boss warned.
He also urged members of the public attending presidential functions to strictly comply with all security guidelines to avoid similar incidents in future.
The Ganze disruption marks yet another embarrassing lapse for the President’s security apparatus. This year alone, President Ruto has faced at least two separate incidents in which individuals managed to storm toward the podium while he was delivering public speeches.
As investigations continue, the whereabouts of the man involved in the Ganze incident remain unclear.
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