Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua claimed senior officials demand half the allowances from officers in the team that escorts President William Ruto. He made the remarks during a public address in Kenya on May 25, 2026, pointing to low morale and alleged corruption as reasons the unit feels neglected. The statements quickly spread online and added fuel to ongoing talks about security lapses around the president.
Gachagua spoke with visible frustration as he addressed supporters. He described officers who once guarded him and still keep in touch. Many of them now serve in the Presidential Escort Unit and shared their struggles with him directly.
Officers Report Demands From Top Officials
In his speech to the gathering, Gachagua laid out what he heard from the officers themselves. “Officers have called me this morning. Most of them were guarding me, and we know each other because the deputy president and the president are guarded by the same units.
He went on to explain the system they described. “When they travel, their allowances. The DIG, Murkomen and immediate escort commander demand half the allowance for these officers. They are required to be allocated to escort the president. So they’re very demoralised and very unhappy people. Even after half of their allowances have been taken.”
Gachagua added that payments have been missing for months. “For four months they’ve not received the allowance,” he said, his voice rising with emphasis.
He also accused the unit of being ethnicised, with most officers coming from one community under the influence of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat, and the escort commander, known as Noah Maiyo.
Calls for Immediate Payment and Reforms
The former deputy president did not stop at describing the problems. He urged swift action to fix them. In the same address, he called for the officers to receive everything owed to them right away. He painted a picture of dedicated men and women feeling used and underpaid despite the sensitive nature of their work.
People in the crowd nodded along as he spoke. Those familiar with Kenyan security matters know the Presidential Escort Unit handles close protection during travels and public events.
Officers often spend long hours away from family, facing tight schedules and high pressure. Hearing that allowances meant to cover those demands might be split with superiors struck a nerve with many listeners.
Gachagua tied the issue to broader security concerns. He referenced a recent incident in Kilifi where the president’s safety appeared compromised. According to him, a demoralised unit cannot perform at its best. “Again, there is a lot of corruption in that unit,” he stated plainly.
Mixed Reactions Across Political Circles
Critics dismissed it as political scoring, especially given his fallout with President Ruto last year. On social media platforms, Kenyans debated whether the claims needed independent verification or if they simply reflected sour grapes.
A few voices from security backgrounds spoke privately about known challenges in allowance processing. Delays do happen, they said, especially when deployments increase. But direct demands for kickbacks remain serious accusations that could warrant investigation if evidence surfaces.
Gachagua stood at the podium in a patterned shirt, surrounded by allies including a man in a green patterned top and another in a jacket. Microphones from various stations crowded the stand as he delivered his points with the direct style Kenyans have come to expect from him.
The episode highlights tensions that linger in Kenya’s security apparatus. Officers in elite units carry heavy responsibilities. When stories emerge about unpaid dues or forced shares, it raises questions about fairness and readiness. Gachagua suggested the president should bring in more professionals from different backgrounds to strengthen the team. 2)