The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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A brief security scare occurred 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 took place during a Thanksgiving ceremony held in honour of Youth Affairs Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs, where the President was addressing leaders and residents.
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In scenes captured on camera, the man managed to get close to the podium while Ruto was mid-speech, briefly causing confusion and forcing the President to pause as his security detail quickly moved in to restrain and escort him away.
Despite the disruption, Ruto called for calm and urged officers not to mistreat the young man.
“Leave that young man alone,” the President said as he was being led away.
He later downplayed the incident, telling the crowd there was no cause for alarm and suggesting the man may have been acting out of excitement. He added that he would address the matter later, a remark that drew laughter from the audience.
The motive behind the man’s approach was not immediately clear, and authorities had not issued an official statement by Sunday evening.
The incident adds to previous security scares involving the President. In February, a similar case was reported in Mombasa during a youth empowerment event at the Jomo Kenyatta Showground, where a man ran toward the podium as Ruto addressed beneficiaries of the NYOTA programme.
Security officers quickly moved in, but the President briefly intervened, asking them to allow the man to speak. In a light-hearted exchange, Ruto engaged the man, identified as Jeremiah, asking him questions that amused the crowd and eased tension at the event.
