A brief security incident occurred in Kilifi County on Sunday when a young man bypassed security and approached President William Ruto during his public address.
The incident took place during a Thanksgiving ceremony honoring Youth Affairs Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs, where the President was addressing local residents and community leaders.
In dramatic moments observed by hundreds of spectators, the man successfully made his way to the podium while the Head of State was delivering his speech.
The unexpected intrusion created a brief moment of confusion, causing Ruto to pause his remarks as security team members swiftly intervened to restrain the man and remove him from the stage.
Despite the tense situation, Ruto instructed his security officers not to mistreat the young man.
‘Leave that young man alone,’ the President stated as officers escorted the man away.
Moments later, Ruto attempted to reassure the audience by downplaying the incident, insisting there was no reason for concern.
‘That young man poses no problem. I believe he learned from Fikirini Jacobs not to miss any opportunity. I will address him later,’ he told the audience, eliciting laughter from some attendees.
The reason for the man’s actions was not immediately determined, and no official statement regarding the incident had been released by Sunday evening.
This was not the first time the President has faced a security incident.
In February, a similar security incident took place in Mombasa when an unidentified man rushed toward President Ruto while he was addressing beneficiaries of the Nyota youth empowerment program.
The incident happened at the Jomo Kenyatta Showground, where Ruto was overseeing the distribution of Sh147 million in NYOTA business start-up funds to 5,880 young entrepreneurs from Mombasa, Kwale, and Taita-Taveta counties.
The President was addressing the audience from the podium when he casually asked, ‘Wapi mtu wa mwisho hapa (Where is the last person)?’
Shortly afterward, a man suddenly appeared from the crowd and ran toward the platform, catching security officers by surprise.
As the man reached the podium, security personnel swiftly intervened to restrain him.
However, Ruto intervened, instructing one of the officers, ‘Habari yako boss, wachana naye,’ and asking them to allow the man to speak momentarily.
In a lighthearted exchange that amused the audience, the President inquired about the man’s name.
‘Unaitwa nani?’ Ruto inquired.
‘Naitwa Jeremiah,’ the man replied.
‘Very good, Jeremiah,’ the President remarked, jokingly adding, ‘Naona umeweka box,’ apparently referring to the man’s hairstyle.
Ruto then questioned him about his shoes, asking, ‘Viatu imepotea wapi?’
‘Nimeziwacha,’ Jeremiah responded, causing laughter from both the President and the audience.
Ruto chuckled and encouraged him to speak, saying, ‘Sasa sema Jeremiah.’
As the man tried to explain himself, he started, ‘Sasa your excellency, mimi ni…’ before the President interrupted, asking, ‘Kwanza umetoka wapi (where have you come from)?’