Deputy President William Ruto's security detail was beefed up on Wednesday, June 8, days after Garissa Township MP Aden Duale was attacked during a rally in Mandera County.
On Wednesday, June 8, images seen by Kenyans.co.ke, showed Ruto's campaign vehicle surrounded by more than 10 uniformed administration police officers, who were armed, forming a barrier between him and the crowd.
Only UDA politicians and aspirants were allowed into the guarded circle, but they were also kept at bay by plain clothed security officers.
Unlike in other rallies where he shared his car with some of his regional pointmen, the DP was alone in his car. The security detail engaged in crowd control, managing the supporters who attempted to get close to the presidential candidate.
The reinforcement of the security came after a rowdy man, on June 7, sneaked past Duale's bodyguards, and using the sidestep of the car, pounced on the MP, intercepting his speech atop the vehicle.
He attempted to pull out the MP's trousers before the bodyguards accosted him.
The officers eventually overpowered the unidentified attacker before whisking him away. Ironically, Duale asked the officers not to arrest the male, who was seeking an audience with Ruto.
"What's wrong with this man.Let him be! He just wants to say hello to the DP, bring him back. But he should have done it peacefully,"Duale ordered the plain-clothed cops, laughing off the incident.
The UDA flagbearer, chipped in, asking the officers to create away for the young man, whom he identified as the son of a close friend. He gifted him Ksh50,000 for his business.
"The young man is harmless, he is a friend of my son. He runs a barber shop and is just like any other hustler who is suffering. I am going to give him Ksh50,000 to grow his business," Ruto revealed.
Following clearance to run for president by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chair Wafula Chebukati, Ruto's security is a matter of national concern.
According to the constitution, all presidential candidates are entitled to security from the state. In the event of the death of any one of them, the August 9 presidential election would be postponed.
