NAIROBI, Kenya- Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Kenya Police Service Eliud Lagat on Monday made what the National Police Service described as the first official visit by a Deputy Inspector General to the Presidential Escort Unit (PEU) since the elite unit was established.
The visit comes just days after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua claimed that officers attached to the Presidential Escort Unit had gone for months without receiving their allowances, allegations that sparked public debate over the welfare of the country’s elite security personnel.
During the visit, DIG Lagat was received by the Presidential Escort Unit’s leadership and officers, where he commended the formation for its role in safeguarding the President and other protected dignitaries.
The National Police Service described the visit as historic, noting that it marked the first time a serving Deputy Inspector General had officially visited the specialized unit since its establishment.
The visit also comes barely two months after Lagat reshuffled the leadership of the Presidential Escort Unit following a security breach during President William Ruto’s public engagement in Kilifi.
The changes saw William Sawe appointed as the new Commandant of the Presidential Escort Unit, replacing Noah Kirwa Maiyo, while other senior officers in the Recce Unit and police headquarters were also redeployed.
Last week, Gachagua alleged that officers attached to the Presidential Escort Unit had not received their operational allowances for several months, raising concerns about morale within the elite formation.
His remarks drew mixed reactions, with some leaders defending the professionalism of the unit and dismissing his claims, while others called for the welfare concerns to be addressed.
The National Police Service has not publicly confirmed Gachagua’s claims regarding unpaid allowances.
The Presidential Escort Unit is one of the Kenya Police Service’s most specialized formations, responsible for providing close protection to the President and coordinating security during presidential movements and high-profile state functions.
It works alongside other specialized units, including the Recce Squad and intelligence teams, to secure the Head of State and other designated VIPs.
