A security breach during President William Ruto’s event in Kilifi County on Sunday, May 24, triggered a major shake-up of the Presidential Escort Unit (PEU), whose core mandate is to protect the president. Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat announced the redeployment of several senior officers, including the appointment of William Sawe Kiptoo as the new head of the PEU, replacing Noah Maiyo, who was recalled to the Police Headquarters for redeployment.
The reshuffle came after an unidentified man disrupted President Ruto’s speech during a Thanksgiving gathering in Ganze, Kilifi County. This, however, was not the first time the Head of State’s security had been breached, raising concerns over PEU’s operations.
Who Is William Sawe?
Following the reshuffle announced late Sunday night, William Sawe will now oversee Ruto’s security as the electioneering period kicks in. Sawe is a senior police officer in the Kenya Police Service whose career has largely been associated with the General Service Unit (GSU).
Like other senior officers in the service, Sawe joined the police through the standard police training system before rising through the ranks over the years.
His career progression is associated with GSU structures, indicating an early posting within the paramilitary and general-duty wing of the Kenya Police Service rather than investigative or traffic departments.
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Career Progression
Sawe previously served as Staff Officer, Operations, at the General Service Unit (GSU) Headquarters, a senior coordination and planning role overseeing GSU operations across the country.
The position placed him within the command structure responsible for overseeing and coordinating operational activities within the unit.
This role is typically held by senior-ranking officers, reflecting their placement within high-level command and staff leadership circles in the GSU.
In October 2025, William Sawe was appointed Commanding Officer of the Recce Company following a leadership reshuffle within the General Service Unit (GSU).
The Recce Company, based in Ruiru, is regarded as one of the elite formations within the GSU and is involved in high-risk operations, including specialized security deployments and tactical response missions.
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As Commanding Officer, William Sawe was responsible for leading the unit, overseeing operational planning, and coordinating security activities with other GSU command structures and national security agencies.
William Sawe Linked to High-Level Presidential Security Reviews Before Latest Appointment
By early 2026, William Sawe had increasingly been linked to senior security reviews following incidents at President William Ruto’s public events, including security-breach concerns raised during engagements in Ganze.
His involvement placed him within high-level VIP security command structures before his official appointment to the Presidential Escort Unit.
On May 24, 2026, Sawe was formally appointed Presidential Escort Commander following a reshuffle within the Presidential Escort Unit and GSU VIP protection structures after the Kilifi security breach incident.
