Presidential Escort Unit commander Noah Maiyo allegedly roughed up fellow police officers during a public rally in Malindi just hours after Inspector General Douglas Kanja ordered major changes to the unit. The move came in response to a security breach involving President William Ruto at a thanksgiving ceremony in Ganze, Kilifi County, on Sunday, May 24, 2026. The incident has left many Kenyans questioning the state of the president’s protection team.
Videos from the Malindi event spread quickly across social media showing Maiyo in a heated confrontation. He appeared frustrated as he pushed and shouted at officers who were part of the security detail. The timing could not have been worse coming right on the heels of the earlier lapse in Ganze where a young man managed to get close to the president.
Chaos Unfolds Right After Ganze Breach
The day had already been tense. In Ganze, a man carrying what looked like a Bible slipped past security lines during PS Jacobs Fikirini’s thanksgiving service. He reached the dais and briefly interacted with President Ruto before officers pulled him away. IG Kanja moved fast, issuing orders for immediate restructuring of the escort team to tighten things up.
Maiyo, who headed the Presidential Escort Unit, found himself at the centre of the fallout. Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat announced his redeployment to the Vigilance Unit at Kenya Police Headquarters. William Sawe from the Recce Sub Unit took over as the new commandant while other officers faced transfers or leave.
Yet in Malindi later that same day things took another turn. Witnesses described the scene as noisy with crowds pressing in under the hot coastal sun. Maiyo spotted what he thought were gaps in the arrangement and stepped in forcefully.
In the footage he grabs and shoves uniformed and plainclothes officers while raising his voice. One officer stumbles back as others try to calm the situation.
A local resident who watched from nearby said the whole thing looked messy. He expected better from the team guarding the head of state, especially after the morning drama in Ganze.
Questions Mount Over Leadership and Conduct
People in Malindi and across Kilifi expressed surprise at the public display. “These are the men we trust with the president’s life, and they cannot even coordinate among themselves,” one vendor near the rally ground remarked while shaking his head. Clips of Maiyo confronting his colleagues circulated widely, drawing both criticism and jokes online.
The Ganze breach itself raised eyebrows. President Ruto was addressing the gathering when the man approached him, saying something along the lines of wanting to hold or speak to him.
Security reacted, but the fact that he got so close sparked immediate concern. IG Kanja described it as a serious lapse and promised a full investigation while ordering changes to seal any weaknesses.
Maiyo had served in VIP protection for years and earned respect for his experience. His removal marks a sudden shift for the unit that operates with significant authority around the president.
Sources familiar with police operations noted that the commandant holds the power to halt presidential movement if risks appear. Losing that role so publicly adds pressure on the entire security apparatus.
In Nairobi reactions poured in from political observers and ordinary citizens. Some defended Maiyo, saying high-stress situations can lead to tense moments on the ground.
Others saw it as another sign of deeper coordination problems within the force. One retired officer who spoke on condition of anonymity pointed out that mixing frustration with public duties rarely ends well.
Coastal residents in Malindi recalled the rally atmosphere as lively until the confrontation drew attention away from the main programme. Dust kicked up around the officers as they sorted themselves out. Phones captured the exchange from multiple angles, turning a security hiccup into national conversation fodder.
This sequence of events in one day, from the thanksgiving service in Ganze to the rally in Malindi, has many wondering about consistency in protection protocols. President Ruto continues his schedule, but the back-to-back incidents keep the spotlight on those tasked with keeping him safe.
Friends and colleagues of the affected officers described the mood as subdued after the reshuffle news broke. For Maiyo, the redeployment represents a step back from the high-profile role he held. William Sawe now steps into the position with expectations high for smoother operations ahead.
As investigations continue into the Ganze breach, Kenyans will watch closely to see if these changes bring real improvements. The images from Malindi serve as a reminder that even those in charge sometimes struggle under pressure. In the coming weeks more details may emerge about what exactly led to the confrontation and how the new team plans to move forward.