Gachagua under fire over remarks on Ruto's security team

Senators led by Danson Mungatana (Tan River) and Samson Cherargei (Nandi) claimed Gachagua was attempting to create ethnic divisions by alleging that members of the Presidential Escort Unit largely come from President Ruto’s Kalenjin community.

Addressing journalists at Parliament Buildings on Tuesday, Mungatana dismissed Gachagua’s claims as false and misleading, insisting that the elite security unit is composed of officers recruited from across the country based strictly on merit and professionalism.

“He tried to ethnicise the police force. He tried to create the impression that the majority of officers in the Presidential Escort Unit are from the President’s community. That is not true,” Mungatana said.

Mungatana said a deputy commandant of the unit who was reshuffled following a breach on the President’s security came from Tana River county and had served with distinction for many years.

He said he personally interacted with several officers during a recent event in Bamba and confirmed that many were from communities outside the President’s ethnic group.

Mungatana questioned why Gachagua allegedly views national issues through a tribal lens.

“Why is it that everything must be interpreted tribally? Why can’t you just be Kenyan? Why are you tribal in everything?” he posed.

He further defended the police recruitment process, explaining that officers are recruited from all 47 counties before undergoing years of general police duty and specialised training to qualify for elite assignments such as the Presidential Escort Unit.

“For one to join the Presidential Escort Unit, they must serve in general police duties for at least five or six years, demonstrate exemplary conduct, and undergo rigorous local and international training,” he explained.

Mungatana also took issue with Gachagua’s alleged description of officers in the presidential security team as “jokers,” saying the remarks were disrespectful to officers who dedicate their lives to protecting national leaders.

“This is the same unit that protected him during his tenure as deputy president. If he thinks they are jokers, then what does that make him for accepting their protection?” Mungatana asked.

The remarks come after Gachagua criticised the President’s security arrangement following the security scare involving Ruto in Kilifi.

Gachagua alleged that some officers attached to the presidential security detail were distracted and unprofessional, even claiming some were “on WhatsApp” during the incident.

But Mungatana strongly rejected the accusation, saying the officers acted professionally under difficult circumstances.

“The person who approached the President was seated among pastors and was carrying a Bible. The officers could not immediately know he was a threat,” he explained.

He criticised Gachagua for referring to the officers as “jokers,” arguing that the same security team had also protected him during his time as deputy president.

“The Inspector General of Police took action after the incident. But to claim officers were on WhatsApp is unfair and irresponsible,” Mungatana said.

The senator warned politicians against attacking national security institutions, saying there are unwritten political rules that leaders should respect.

“You can criticise politicians, cabinet secretaries, or even the president, but you do not attack the military, intelligence officers, or the police service. These institutions deserve respect because they protect all Kenyans regardless of political affiliation,” he said.

Cherargei also condemned Gachagua’s remarks, accusing him of promoting tribal politics.

“Why must Gachagua tribalise everything? He sees everything through the lenses of tribalism. He is a shame to this country,” Cherargei said.

The senator defended officers serving in the Presidential Escort Unit, saying they are selected based on competence, discipline, and professionalism rather than ethnicity.

“These elite officers are picked on merit. Tribalism is never a consideration when assigning officers to guard the President,” Cherargei added.