A dramatic moment unfolded in Ganze, Kilifi County, on Sunday when a man carrying a Bible breached security and made his way onto the stage where President William Ruto was addressing congregants during a thanksgiving service held in honour of Youth Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs.
The unidentified man managed to bypass layers of presidential security and climbed onto the stage while the Head of State was delivering his speech. Witnesses watched in surprise as he briefly clung to the President before security officers quickly moved in and restrained him.
However, the confrontation was cut short after President Ruto intervened and instructed the officers to stop handling the man roughly.
“Leave him alone. Leave this young man,” the President directed as security personnel attempted to remove the intruder from the stage.
The incident caused a brief disruption before order was restored and the President resumed his address. Rather than condemning the man, President Ruto appeared sympathetic, suggesting that he was simply seeking an opportunity to improve his circumstances.
According to the President, the young man was not a threat and was merely trying to take advantage of a rare chance to get his attention.
“That young man has no problem. I think he has learnt from Fikirini Jacobs that wherever there is an opportunity it should not be wasted,” the President told the congregation.
He further joked that the man was “trying to find his luck” and hinted that he would attend to his concerns later.
The unusual incident has since attracted widespread attention online, with many Kenyans debating how the man managed to access the stage despite the presence of elite presidential security officers.
Presidential security changes: Noah Maiyo replaced as Presidential Escort Unit boss
The stage breach comes as the National Police Service announced significant changes affecting senior officers in some of the country’s most sensitive security formations.
In a reshuffle communicated by Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat, several officers attached to the Presidential Escort Unit and the Recce Squad have been reassigned in a move aimed at strengthening operations within specialised units and police headquarters.
Among the notable changes is the transfer of Mr. Noah Kirwa Maiyo from his position as Commandant of the Presidential Escort Unit to Kenya Police Headquarters under the Vigilance Department.
At the same time, Mr. Juda Mathews Gwiyo, who has been serving as Deputy Commandant of the Presidential Escort Unit, has been directed to proceed on leave pending retirement.
The reshuffle also elevates Mr. William Sawe, previously the Commanding Officer of the Recce Sub Unit, to become the new Commandant of the Presidential Escort Unit.
Mr. George Kirera has been moved from his role as Staffing Officer Personnel within the Presidential Escort Unit to serve as Deputy Commandant of the same formation.
Within the elite Recce Sub Unit, Mr. Josphat Sirma has been promoted from Deputy Commanding Officer to Commanding Officer, while Mr. Rere Kipkoech has been transferred from the position of Deputy SOB1 to Kenya Police Headquarters under the Vigilance Department.
The changes were communicated through an official notice signed by Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat, who indicated that all transfers and appointments take effect immediately.
While the police did not directly link the reshuffle to the Kilifi incident, the security breach involving the President is likely to reignite debate over the effectiveness of presidential protection measures and the readiness of elite security units tasked with safeguarding the country’s top leadership.
