Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja Sunday ordered immediate changes to the security team guarding William Samoei Ruto following a security breach during a public event in Ganze on Saturday.
Kanja termed the incident a serious security lapse and a matter of “gravest national concern.”
The breach occurred on May 24, 2026, during a thanksgiving gathering where Ruto was addressing members of the public in Ganze.
Although security officers managed to swiftly contain the situation and restore order, Kanja said any compromise involving the President’s security was unacceptable.
A man shot from a crowd while armed with Bible and grabbed Ruto in a dramatic incident captured on camera.
The Inspector General announced the formation of a special investigations team to conduct a comprehensive probe into how the breach happened.
He said the immediate restructuring of the President’s security detail was aimed at strengthening operational protocols and sealing any existing vulnerabilities.
“The security of the Head of State is a matter of national security and will be treated with the utmost seriousness,” Kanja said.
He also warned members of the public attending presidential events to strictly follow security procedures, adding that any attempts to breach security arrangements would be dealt with firmly under the law.
The National Police Service maintained that it remains committed to protecting the country’s leadership and ensuring similar incidents do not recur.
The incident has triggered planned changes in the Presidential Escort Unit.
Senior Assistant Inspector General of Police Noah Maiyo is the Presidential Escort Unit Commandant.
The president also has the Presidential Escort Unit which is a fully-fledged team, that can handle the movement of the President and his family anytime.
They, however, usually get the help of the local police whenever the President visits.
Together with his family, the President has about 200 security guards from the GSU.
As part of security measures, they don’t allow armed police officers, especially those with rifles, at the events, apart from their members.
Whenever the President moves, the local police commander has to ensure the movement is guarded. If he stops to address a gathering, tens of local officers are deployed.
The President enjoys some of the best police officers’ services as they are drawn from various units and trained on a common agenda.
Other than police officers, officials from the National Intelligence Service also provide crucial services to the President and his family.
