Alai demands overhaul of Ruto’s security, cites pay disparity with MPs’ guards
By Mustafa Juma, May 24, 2026Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai has called for urgent reforms in the security and welfare structure of officers assigned to protect President William Ruto after the Kilifi security breach incident.
Taking to his official X account on Sunday, May 24, 2026, Alai argued that the current system is unfair and undermines morale within the service.
He said the security of the Head of State must be prioritised through better equipment, improved remuneration, and overall restructuring of the protection detail.
Alai said it was unacceptable that officers assigned to protect the president operate under conditions he described as inferior compared to other VIP protection units.
“The security of the President MUST be revamped,” he stated.
He further urged authorities to ensure that officers assigned to the presidential detail are adequately equipped and compensated to match the demands of their responsibilities.
Claims of pay imbalance
Alai also raised concern over what he termed as a disparity in allowances within different categories of police protection units.
He claimed that officers assigned to Members of Parliament reportedly receive higher allowances than those tasked with guarding the President, a situation he described as “just wrong.”
“Those officers protecting the President should be equipped and paid better. Today, a police officer guarding an MP has a better allowance than officers guarding the President. Just wrong!” Alai stated.
IG Kanja’s order
Alai’s remarks come moments after Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja ordered immediate changes to President Ruto’s security detail following what the National Police Service described as a serious security breach during a public event in Ganze, Kilifi County.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, May 24, 2026, Kanja said security agencies responded swiftly to contain the situation and restore order, but the breach was described as unacceptable and a matter of national concern.
IG Kanja announced the immediate formation of a special investigations team to establish how the breach occurred and whether there were failures within the security system.
The Inspector General further confirmed that immediate changes had been made to officers responsible for the president’s protection.
“As the Inspector General of the National Police, I have immediately instituted a special investigations team to conduct a swift, thorough, and uncompromising inquiry into how this breach occurred. I have ordered immediate changes to the security detail responsible for the president’s protection in order to strengthen protocols and seal any existing vulnerabilities,” he stated.
Ruto’s security breach
A young man on Sunday, May 24, 2026, caused panic after he broke through security and approached President Ruto while he was addressing a gathering in Kilifi County.
The incident happened during the Thanksgiving service for Youth Affairs Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs at Mnagoni Primary School in Bamba, Ganze constituency.
President Ruto was speaking at the podium when the man suddenly moved towards the stage. Security officers quickly stepped in and tackled him before pulling him away from the president.
The brief disruption confused the event as officers struggled to remove the man from the restricted area. Cameras captured the moment as the president stopped his speech and appeared shaken during the commotion.