Brief security breach contained as man approaches Ruto during speech in Kilifi

Security breach after man approaches President William Ruto in Kilifi / Screengrab

A brief security scare unfolded in Kilifi County on Sunday after a young man breached security and approached President William Ruto while he was delivering a public address.

The incident occurred during a Thanksgiving ceremony held in honour of Youth Affairs Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs, where the President was addressing residents and leaders.

In dramatic scenes witnessed by hundreds of attendees and captured on camera, the man managed to make his way toward the podium as the Head of State was in the middle of his speech.

The unexpected intrusion caused a moment of confusion, forcing Ruto to abruptly pause his remarks as members of his security detail quickly moved in to restrain the man and escort him away from the stage.

Despite the tense moment, Ruto urged his security personnel not to mistreat the young man.

“Leave that young man alone,” the President said as officers led the man away.

Moments later, Ruto sought to calm the crowd by insisting there was no cause for concern.

“That young man has no problem. I think he learnt from Fikirini Jacobs not to miss any opportunity. I will deal with him later,” he told the audience, drawing laughter from sections of the crowd.

The motive behind the man’s actions was not immediately established, and authorities had not issued an official statement on the incident by Sunday evening.

This is not the first time the President has experienced a security scare.

In February, a brief security incident occurred in Mombasa when an unidentified man ran towards President Ruto as he addressed beneficiaries of the Nyota youth empowerment programme.

The incident occurred at the Jomo Kenyatta Showground, where Ruto was presiding over the disbursement of Sh147 million in NYOTA business start-up capital to 5,880 young entrepreneurs drawn from Mombasa, Kwale and Taita-Taveta counties.

The President was engaging the crowd from the podium when he posed a casual question to the audience, asking, “Wapi mtu wa mwisho hapa (Where is the last person)?” 

Moments later, a man suddenly emerged from the crowd and ran towards the dais, catching security officers off guard.

As the man approached the podium, security aides quickly moved in to restrain him. 

However, Ruto intervened, telling one of the officers, “Habari yako boss, wachana naye,” urging them to momentarily let the man speak.

In a light-hearted exchange that drew laughter from the audience, the President asked the man his name.

“Unaitwa nani?” Ruto asked.

“Naitwa Jeremiah,” the man responded.

“Very good, Jeremiah,” the President said, jokingly adding, “Naona umeweka box,” in apparent reference to the man’s hairstyle. 

Ruto then asked him about his shoes, saying, “Viatu imepotea wapi?”

“Nimeziwacha,” Jeremiah replied, prompting laughter from the President and the crowd.

Ruto laughed and urged him to speak, saying, “Sasa sema Jeremiah.” 

As the man attempted to explain himself, he began, “Sasa your excellency, mimi ni...” before the President interjected, asking, “Kwanza umetoka wapi (where have you come from)?”