The Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service, DIG Lagat Eliud, on Monday, August 3, made a high-profile visit to the Presidential Escort Unit (PEU), days after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua alleged that officers guarding President William Ruto were demoralized, unpaid, and operating in a unit riddled with favoritism.
The visit, which the National Police Service described as historic, saw Lagat meet officers attached to the elite unit responsible for the safety of the President and other protected dignitaries.
In messages shared by the Kenya Police Service, Lagat urged the officers to remain disciplined and united despite challenges facing the unit.
“The only way to deal with challenges is to face them head-on so that we make progress,” he told the officers.
He further called on the officers to uphold honesty, respect and the core values of the unit while paying attention to their mental health and maintaining readiness ahead of the electioneering period.
DIG Lagat Addresses Welfare Concerns
DIG Lagat’s visit came against the backdrop of claims by Gachagua that the Presidential Escort Unit had become “ethnicized”, leading to low morale among officers.
Also Read: How Kenya Lost Ksh 500M from M-Pesa and Mobile Wallets
The former Deputy President alleged that officers from communities outside the President’s ethnic group had been sidelined from key assignments despite possessing the necessary professional expertise.
“For the record, officers of the Presidential Escort Unit have not paid their rent for the past four months. That is dangerous for the President and the country. You cannot have the people guarding the President lamenting like other citizens. There is a lot of dissatisfaction around the President,” Gachagua stated in a past interview.
He also claimed that members of the unit had not received their allowances on time, creating frustration among officers tasked with protecting the Head of State.
Gachagua first raised the concerns following a security breach during President Ruto’s visit to Kilifi County where an individual managed to get close to the presidential podium before security officers intervened.
The DCP party leader argued that the incident exposed weaknesses within the President’s security apparatus and warned against politicizing or mismanaging elite security units.
“The matter has now come to the public light, and everybody knows that their president is totally exposed,” Gachagua claimed during a press briefing.
Despite his criticism of the government, Gachagua insisted that the President’s safety remained critical for national stability.
The allegations sparked debate over the welfare and preparedness of officers guarding the Head of State, although the National Police Service has not publicly confirmed claims regarding unpaid allowances.
The Presidential Escort Unit (PEU)
The Presidential Escort Unit (PEU) is the Kenya Police Service’s elite close-protection formation tasked with safeguarding the President, the First Family and other designated VIPs.
Also Read: Govt Eyes Creative Economy Billions with New Push to Commercialise Student Talent
Its main responsibility is to provide round-the-clock security to the Head of State and ensure the safety of presidential activities both within Kenya and abroad.
Unlike regular police units that focus on law enforcement, crime prevention or investigations, the PEU specializes in VIP protection.
Officers are trained in close-quarter protection, motorcade operations, counter-surveillance, threat assessment, route planning, evacuation procedures and crowd management.
The unit is responsible for securing presidential motorcades, residences, offices, state functions, public rallies and foreign trips.
Before every presidential engagement, PEU officers conduct advance security assessments, inspect venues and coordinate with intelligence and local security teams.
PEU works closely with specialized formations such as intelligence agencies, the Recce Squad and other security units to provide layered protection around the President.
Because it protects the country’s highest office, the unit maintains strict operational standards and officers undergo rigorous vetting and specialized training.
Any lapse in its operations can have national security implications.
Entry into the Presidential Escort Unit is highly selective, with officers required to undergo rigorous vetting, maintain an impeccable service record, and complete specialized VIP protection training.
Unlike most police units, the Presidential Escort Unit is not open to direct recruitment.
Officers are picked from within the National Police Service after demonstrating professionalism, discipline, and operational competence.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
