Assistant Inspector General of Police Noah Maiyo heads the Presidential Escort Unit, the elite team responsible for protecting President William Ruto and coordinating high-level state security operations.
He was appointed commandant of the unit in July 2024, taking over from William Yiampoy following a police reshuffle.
The appointment placed him in charge of one of the most sensitive security offices in government, overseeing the safety of the President, the First Family, and visiting heads of state.
Noah Maiyo’s Background in Elite Security Units
Maiyo has more than 30 years of experience in VIP protection.
He has served in the Presidential Escort Unit for much of his career, rising through the ranks to senior command positions.
Before his appointment, he was the Head of Operations in the unit, a role he held for about two years.
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His security background includes service in the General Service Unit and the Recce Squad, two of the most specialized formations in the Kenya Police.
The Recce Squad is trained specifically for high-risk operations and close protection duties involving senior government officials.
Maiyo also worked in the Office of the Deputy President for about a decade in a similar operational role.
His long service within the President’s security structure made him a key insider, with direct experience in planning and executing security arrangements at the highest level.
As commandant, Noah Maiyo leads a unit comprising hundreds of officers drawn from elite formations.
The Presidential Escort Unit is mandated to protect the President, the Deputy President, retired presidents, and visiting dignitaries.
Role of the Presidential Escort Unit (PEU)
The Presidential Escort Unit (PEU) is a specialized arm of the Kenya Police Service responsible for the protection and secure movement of the President and other top state officials.
Its role is central to national security, as it ensures the safety of the Head of State and continuity of government operations.
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One of the unit’s primary functions is to provide round-the-clock security to the President, the First Family, the Deputy President, retired presidents, and visiting heads of state.
This involves both physical protection and the coordination of broader security measures during public events, official functions, and foreign trips.
The PEU is also tasked with ensuring the safe movement of the President.
Before any journey, the unit conducts detailed risk and threat assessments, relying on intelligence reports and surveillance.
Advance teams are sent ahead to inspect routes, venues, and surrounding areas, while security plans are adjusted depending on the level of risk.
During movement, the unit manages the presidential motorcade, which operates under strict formations designed to protect the President’s vehicle.
These include formations such as the arrowhead, diamond, and wedge, each used depending on the situation and potential threat.
The motorcade is supported by highly trained riders and drivers skilled in defensive and tactical operations.
Another key role of the PEU is close protection.
A select team forms the inner cordon around the President at all times, controlling access and responding immediately to threats.
Officers are trained to shield and evacuate the President within seconds in case of danger, making quick decision-making critical.
The unit also plays a coordinating role.
It operates under a joint command system that brings together police, intelligence services, and other security agencies.
This ensures that all aspects of presidential security, from crowd control to intelligence gathering, are handled in a unified manner.
Its effectiveness is measured by its ability to prevent incidents and ensure that all presidential activities proceed without disruption.
