The National Police Service reshuffled senior officers attached to the Presidential Escort Unit following the security breach that disrupted President William Ruto ’s public event in Kilifi County on Saturday.
In the changes announced by Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service Eliud Lagat, senior officer William Sawe was moved from the Recce Company to take over as Commandant of the Presidential Escort Unit (PEU), replacing Noah Kirwa Maiyo.
Maiyo has been recalled to Kenya Police Headquarters and deployed to the Vigilance Unit in the latest shake-up touching key officers in the presidential security team.
The changes come hours after security agencies launched investigations into the breach during a thanksgiving event in Ganze, Kilifi County, where President Ruto was addressing members of the public.
The reshuffle also saw Deputy Commandant of the Presidential Escort Unit Juda Mathews Gwiyo directed to proceed on leave pending retirement.
Other changes announced include the appointment of George Kirera as Deputy Commandant PEU from his previous role as Staffing Officer Personnel PEU, while Josphat Sirma was promoted from Deputy Commander Recce Sub Unit to Commanding Officer of the elite Recce Sub Unit.
Rere Kipkoech was also transferred from Deputy SOB1 to Kenya Police Headquarters Vigilance.
The changes are seen as part of efforts to tighten presidential security following the Kilifi incident, which authorities described as a serious security breach.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja had ordered immediate changes to the security team guarding Ruto following the security breach during a public event.
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.
Kanja 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 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.
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