President William Ruto’s security detail has been revamped following a security breach in Migori County, where he was struck by a shoe during a public tour.
Police officers from the Presidential Escort Unit (PEU) have enforced strict crowd and VIP control measures, including restraining people from getting close to the president, according to data, images, and videos analysed by Kenyans.co.ke.
During his working tour of Narok County, while addressing the locals at Ntulele and Suswa, President Ruto was forced to avoid the main podium where other leaders had camped.
Instead, the president addressed the locals from the rooftop of his SUV as other leaders waited for their turns to speak from the mounted dias.
Uniformed officers from the General Service Unit and regular police formed a security cordon around the President’s motorcade and accompanying leaders, creating a substantial buffer zone between the Head of State and the public.
Additionally, Kenyans.co.ke observed that the officers from the PEU appeared to somehow have a common colour of shirts as they maintained almost compact formation around the president.
The elite officers from the recce unit mingled in between the crowds as they remained on high alert to thwart any similar security breaches that were witnessed in Migori.
A major concern for the presidential security detail is the Maa people's culture, where men are allowed to walk freely with weapons, including rungus and pangas.
Interestingly, during the last day of his trip in Migori, reports indicated that Ruto's security barred members of the public from lifting items such as water bottles during his address.
The video of President Ruto using his hand to block a shoe from hitting his face rekindled memories of how key political leaders have had their security breached in the past.
While delivering his speech to a large audience, a black shoe was seen flying from the crowd, directly targeting him.
In 2014, former President Uhuru Kenyatta was also hit by shoes at a rally held at Migori Primary School.
On September 29, 2014, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was attacked by an elderly man during a rally in Kwale County while campaigning for a referendum. Odinga was dancing with traditional performers when the man emerged from the crowd and struck him on the back, momentarily disrupting the event.
Police officers in Kuria West have since released three individuals who were arrested in connection with the Sunday incident, citing that the matter appeared to be an accident.
