Kenya police shake up president’s protection team after security breach

Kenya’s police chief has ordered a significant overhaul of President William Ruto’s security detail after a man managed to bypass protection and get close to the president during a thanksgiving rally in eastern Kenya on Sunday.

In widely circulated footage, the man—holding what appeared to be a Bible—walked onto the stage and briefly placed his arm around President Ruto before security officers quickly intervened and restrained him.

Although no injuries were reported, Inspector General Douglas Kanja condemned the breach, calling it “unacceptable” and describing it as a matter of “the gravest national concern.”

Following the incident, a new head of the Presidential Escort Unit has been appointed, while several senior officers have been removed or placed on leave as investigations begin.

Kanja emphasized that strict security procedures must be followed at all events involving the president and other national leaders, warning that any attempt to breach security will be met with the full force of the law.President Ruto, however, appeared calm after the incident, telling security officers:

“Leave that young man alone. That young man has no problem.” The individual involved has not been identified, and no arrests have been made so far.

A special investigative team has been formed to determine how the man was able to pass multiple layers of security.

The incident has sparked renewed concern about presidential security at public rallies where leaders often interact closely with large crowds.

It comes just three months after another incident in which security officers stopped a young man who had attempted to approach the president near the podium.