A series of viral videos have reignited national concern over the security arrangements surrounding President William Ruto, following recent incidents that appear to expose glaring lapses in the protective protocols of the Head of State.
The most recent footage, reportedly captured in Nyanza, shows a large crowd—mainly youth—gathered dangerously close to a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) chopper believed to be ferrying the President. In a scene that has sparked widespread concern, individuals can be seen not only crowding the aircraft but also physically touching it—an action considered a major breach in aviation and presidential security standards.
Despite a lone military officer, believed to be the pilot, trying to shoo the crowd away, he is visibly overwhelmed. The crowd, meanwhile, can be heard chanting slogans, with some referencing the late Chief of Defence Forces, General Francis Ogolla. The helicopter, parked in an open space with no clear perimeter or layered security detail in place, was left vulnerable to potential sabotage or harm.
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The footage has drawn sharp criticism online. Many Kenyans took to social media to question how such a security gap could exist in the presence of a VVIP asset.
“This is not just about optics. It’s a serious breach. A presidential chopper should never be this exposed,” one user wrote on X.
This incident adds to an alarming pattern of security mishaps involving President Ruto in recent weeks.
A Woman Nearly Pulls the President
Just days before, another unsettling moment occurred during Ruto’s visit to Kibera on May 23. In video footage published by Kenyans.co.ke, a woman is seen reaching out to greet the President. However, she holds onto his hand for a prolonged moment, momentarily pulling him off balance.
A bodyguard quickly intervened, pushing the woman back. Ruto, while momentarily shaken, recovered quickly, smiled, and graciously called the woman back for a second handshake—this time under closer watch from his security team.
Still, the brief lapse left observers questioning how such direct contact was possible in a crowd without immediate control.
A Flying Shoe in Migori
Earlier this month, on May 4, President Ruto narrowly avoided being struck by a shoe hurled at him during a rally in Migori. Quick reflexes allowed him to block the object with his arm while continuing his address. While the President remained composed, the incident spotlighted the proximity of his platform to an uncontrolled crowd and the difficulty his security faced in securing the area.
Images released by the Presidential Communication Service (PCS) showed President Ruto speaking from a small dais, surrounded by security officers from the General Service Unit (GSU). However, the tight quarters and raised platform left him visibly exposed from multiple angles.
Observers pointed out that the configuration of the venue—alongside the absence of crowd barriers or elevated protection—created the perfect storm for a potential security failure.
Mounting Pressure on Presidential Security
With political temperatures rising and public sentiments sharply divided in some regions, analysts warn that the President’s protection must evolve to match emerging threats.
These incidents—occurring in quick succession—have triggered debate on whether the Head of State is being adequately shielded from harm. Critics say the focus on maintaining a people-friendly image should not come at the cost of the President’s personal safety.
As the nation watches closely, security experts and citizens alike are calling on the State House and KDF to reassess their security protocols—before these near misses turn into a national tragedy.