Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has ordered immediate changes to President William Ruto’s security team after a security breach during a public event in Ganze, Kilifi County.
In a statement, the National Police Service (NPS), this comes after an ndividual disrupted security arrangements while President Ruto was addressing members of the public during a thanksgiving event.
“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,” part of the statement by Kanja read.
The Sunday incident saw an individual breach security and make his way toward the president while holding a Bible.
However, before he could say anything, he was swiftly tackled by President William Ruto’s security detail, prompting the Head of State to urge his officers to leave him alone.
Afterwards, Ruto claimed that he would deal with the young man later.
In further response to the matter, Kanja ordered an investigation into the incident, with the NPS having constituted a special probe team to look into the matter.
“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,” he added.
Additionally, changes made by the National Police Service under the office of the Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service on Sunday evening, saw Noah Kirwa Maiyo, who has been the commandant of the Presidential Escort Unit (PEU), relieved of his duties of commanding Ruto’s security and moved to the Kenya Police Headquarters at Vigilance House in Nairobi.
Maiyo’s position as PEU Commandant was then taken over by William Sawe, who, until his appointment, was the commanding officer of the Recce sub-unit, effective immediately.
The changes also saw Kirwa has been serving as the presidential security chief, being redeployed to new roles under the vigilance department after repeated breaches in the president’s security.
At the same time, Juda Matthews Gwiyo, who has been serving as the Deputy Commandant of PEU, was directed to proceed on leave ahead of his retirement.
