The security team protecting William Ruto has undergone immediate changes following a dramatic security breach during a public event in Ganze, Kilifi County.
In changes announced on Sunday evening by the Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service, Noah Kirwa Maiyo was removed from his role as Commandant of the Presidential Escort Unit (PEU), the elite team charged with safeguarding the president.
Maiyo has now been redeployed to Vigilance House, the Kenya Police headquarters in Nairobi, in what is being viewed as a major shake-up within the president’s security apparatus.
He has been replaced by William Sawe, the former Commanding Officer of the Recce Squad sub-unit, with the appointment taking effect immediately.
“The Deputy Inspector General Kenya Police Service has made the following changes in the Kenya Police Service,” part of the official communication stated.
Sawe will now assume responsibility for coordinating and overseeing the security of the Head of State amid growing concerns over repeated breaches involving William Ruto during public engagements.
The reshuffle also saw Juda Matthews Gwiyo, who had been serving as Deputy Commandant of the PEU, directed to proceed on leave ahead of his retirement.
Meanwhile, George Kirera, previously a staffing officer within the PEU, was appointed the new Deputy Commanding Officer of the presidential security unit.
Further changes were made within the Recce Squad, where Josephat Sirma was named the new Commanding Officer, replacing Sawe following his elevation to lead the PEU.
The sweeping changes came hours after Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja ordered an immediate review of the president’s security arrangements after a man breached security and reached the presidential dais while Ruto was addressing residents in Ganze.
“I have ordered immediate changes to the security detail responsible for the President’s protection in order to strengthen protocols and seal any existing vulnerabilities,” Kanja said in a statement on Sunday.
The incident caused brief panic after the unidentified man managed to get dangerously close to the president before security officers intervened and restrained him.
The breach has once again raised concerns over the effectiveness and responsiveness of the presidential security team during public rallies and roadside events.
This is not the first time the president’s security has come under scrutiny.
On February 12, another man attempted to storm a podium where William Ruto was speaking during a separate public engagement. In that incident, security officers quickly tackled the intruder moments before he could reach the president.
The latest incident is likely to intensify debate over the balance between public accessibility and presidential security as Ruto continues holding large-scale grassroots tours across the country.
Also Read: IG Kanja Announces Security Changes After Breach at Ruto Event