Former Presidential Escort Unit (PEU) commandant Noah Maiyo is at the center of a fresh controversy following a chaotic security incident in Kilifi, in which a breach of President William Ruto’s security triggered a major shake-up within the elite protection unit.
The incident, which unfolded as the President arrived at the venue, occurred while security teams were trying to clear the way for his entry onto the grounds.
In the rush to secure the route and control the crowd, Maiyo became involved in a physical confrontation with a junior police officer in full public view, even before the breach that later allowed a civilian to get close to the Head of State.
Video evidence from the scene shows Maiyo engaging the officer in a physical exchange, repeatedly striking him during the chaotic moments as multiple officers struggled to regain control of the situation.
Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho is also seen at the scene, together with other security personnel from both the President’s and his own team, moving in and appearing to plead with Maiyo as the confrontation unfolded within the presidential security ring.
Maiyo Under Scrutiny
The President was attending a Thanksgiving ceremony for Youth Affairs Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs when the drama unfolded, as security teams moved to clear the way for his arrival.
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The situation escalated rapidly as officers pushed back civilians and cleared the road, while the confrontation between Maiyo and the junior officer unfolded in the middle of the operation.
The altercation between Maiyo and the junior officer occurred in full view of the public, with several officers and onlookers witnessing the exchange up close.
Moments later, the situation worsened when a civilian managed to break through the security cordon and get dangerously close to the President, exposing a significant lapse in the protective setup.
The breach forced security officers into a frantic response, as they moved quickly to isolate the President and remove the individual, bringing the event to a brief halt.
The sequence of events has raised serious concerns about coordination within elite security units, particularly during high-pressure public engagements involving the Head of State.
Growing Security Concerns Around Ruto
The incident is not isolated, coming against the backdrop of repeated security scares at presidential events.
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A series of recent incidents has raised growing concern over persistent gaps in presidential security during public engagements involving President William Ruto.
Earlier, in May 2025, a shoe was hurled at the President during a rally in Migori, marking one of the first high‑profile incidents to expose vulnerabilities in crowd control during public appearances.
In February 2026, two back‑to‑back breaches occurred during National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) events.
At a function in Mombasa on February 6, an unidentified man broke from the crowd and ran toward the podium, briefly bypassing security before being restrained.
The President, however, intervened and engaged him in a brief exchange before he was escorted away.
Just days later, on February 12 in Wajir, a similar incident unfolded when another individual charged toward the dais while the President was addressing a crowd.
Security officers moved quickly to intercept and subdue the man before he could reach the Head of State, prompting an official investigation into the lapse.
In April 2026, a projectile believed to be a bottle was thrown toward the President during a public tour in Nairobi, forcing security officers to shield him as they tried to identify the source.
