Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has raised concerns over Kenya’s security situation, questioning President William Ruto’s protection and urging stronger leadership within the Ministry of Interior.
Speaking to the media on Monday, Gachagua criticised how the President’s security has been managed, warning that any lapse could undermine national stability. He stressed that, despite political differences, the President’s safety remains critical to the country’s cohesion.
“We want William Ruto out of office, but we want him out of office through the ballot next year. We don’t want him out of the office through any other method. The security of the President, his safety and his well-being are very important ingredients of our political stability as a country,” he said.
He added that the office of the President must be protected regardless of political sentiment or popularity.
“The President of Kenya, no matter how unpopular he is, must be safe, and he must be properly protected. Because if anything were to happen to him, we would have a crisis,” Gachagua said.
Warning of potential consequences, he referenced regional history, pointing to the 1994 Rwanda genocide and the assassination of then-President Juvénal Habyarimana as a trigger for widespread violence, saying such lessons should not be ignored.
“It is very irresponsible and precarious for the government to play around with the security of President William Ruto. President William Ruto is very unpopular, I agree, but I must admit in my own estimation he enjoys the support of nearly two million people,” he said.
He further cautioned that any harm to the Head of State could destabilise the country.
“If anything were to happen to President William Ruto through recklessness, there will be political instability in this country. We have no other country. We want William Ruto to be safe. We want William Ruto to be alive and to be well,” he warned.
Despite his criticism, he insisted that political contestation should remain strictly within democratic processes.
“We want to have the opportunity to humiliate him through the ballot,” he added.
At the same time, Gachagua directed sharp criticism at Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, describing him as “naive, childish and juvenile,” and arguing that the ministry requires experienced leadership rather than political posturing.
He alleged that senior security officials struggle to properly brief the Interior CS and claimed that both Murkomen and the Inspector General of Police should have resigned following recent security incidents.
Gachagua also raised allegations regarding the Presidential Escort Unit (PEU), claiming it is demoralised, influenced by ethnic considerations, and affected by corruption. He further alleged delays in allowances and pressure on officers to surrender portions of their earnings.
He called for full payment of officers attached to the President’s detail and urged reliance on professional security personnel.
“Allow professionals to serve him,” he said.
The former Deputy President also dismissed UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar’s apology over earlier remarks, alleging the statements were part of a coordinated script discussed at State House in Mombasa.
He further accused President Ruto of reviving divisive politics and urged the electoral commission to safeguard the integrity of the 2027 General Election, warning against any attempts to “steal elections.”
Gachagua also challenged the President to publicly commit to accepting the outcome of the next election and to avoid any actions that could be interpreted as incitement.
His remarks came a day after significant changes were made within the Presidential Escort Unit following a security breach during a public rally in Ganze, Kilifi County, where a man briefly accessed the presidential dais before being intercepted by security officers.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja confirmed the restructuring, saying the adjustments were aimed at strengthening the President’s protection.
“I have ordered immediate changes to the security detail responsible for the President’s protection in order to strengthen protocols and seal any existing vulnerabilities,” Kanja said in a statement.
Under the changes, PEU Commandant Noah Kirwa Maiyo was moved to Vigilance House in Nairobi, while William Sawe, formerly of the Recce Squad sub-unit, was appointed as the new PEU Commandant.
Deputy Commandant Juda Matthews Gwiyo was sent on terminal leave ahead of retirement, with George Kirera named as his replacement. Josephat Sirma was also appointed to head the Recce Squad.
The Ganze incident adds to a series of recent security scares involving the President, prompting renewed scrutiny of his protection detail.
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