Concerns have once again surfaced regarding President William Ruto’s security, especially the effectiveness of his protection team, after a viral video from Kisumu circulated widely online.
The footage, taken in the Nyanza region, shows a crowd—mostly made up of young people—gathered dangerously close to a military helicopter believed to have transported the President.
The chopper had landed in an open field with little to no visible security presence keeping the crowd at bay.
In the video, the crowd is heard chanting, with some slogans reportedly referring to the late Chief of Defence Forces, General Francis Ogolla. What raised major alarm was the fact that several people were seen physically touching the aircraft.
This is a serious breach of protocol since military aircraft are typically protected from any unauthorized access due to the potential risks of sabotage, explosives, or other threats.
A lone military officer, thought to be the pilot, is seen trying to push the crowd back. However, he appeared overwhelmed as the group continued to surround the helicopter.
The officer’s struggle highlighted a worrying lack of backup security, drawing harsh criticism from many Kenyans online.
People questioned how such a serious lapse in the President’s security could happen, especially in such a politically sensitive region.
This incident has added to a series of recent security breaches involving President Ruto, increasing concerns about the effectiveness of his protective team.
Critics argue that repeated failures are making the presidency appear vulnerable and exposing the Head of State to unnecessary risks.
Tensions are especially high now, as President Ruto faces divided support in various parts of the country. The deepening political polarisation makes his personal safety even more crucial during public appearances.
Just a week before the Kisumu chopper incident, another incident took place during Ruto’s visit to Kibera on Friday, May 23.
While walking through a crowded area shortly after inspecting the Kibera Affordable Housing project, a woman reached out to greet the President. However, instead of simply shaking his hand, she appeared to hold onto it a bit too long.
One of the President’s bodyguards quickly intervened and attempted to push her away, but not before Ruto slightly lost his balance.
In the video, he can be seen steadying himself by grabbing the back of Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, also known as Jalang’o, who was walking beside him.
Despite the potentially chaotic moment, Ruto remained calm. He smiled and even called the woman back for a second handshake. Afterward, his bodyguard firmly pushed her back into the crowd.
Yet another incident took place earlier in May during a rally in Migori. On Sunday, May 4, while addressing a large gathering, President Ruto was nearly hit by a shoe thrown from the crowd.
Quick to react, he raised his arm to block the flying object just before it could hit him.
Photos released by the Presidential Communication Service (PCS) before the incident had shown the President standing on a small raised platform, surrounded by a massive crowd.
Although his security team, mostly drawn from the General Service Unit (GSU), formed a human barrier around the stage, their position on the ground made it difficult to fully secure him since the platform was very close to the people.
Security experts and citizens alike have pointed out that these incidents are warning signs. They believe the President’s team needs to tighten protocols, improve crowd control, and take more proactive measures to prevent such close encounters that could potentially escalate into dangerous situations.
As more of these moments come to light, pressure continues to mount on the authorities responsible for protecting the Head of State.
Many Kenyans are demanding that the government take these incidents seriously to ensure the safety and dignity of the presidency remain intact.
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