NAIROBI, Kenya — Lawyer Nelson Havi has raised concerns over the security approach surrounding President William Ruto, questioning why the Head of State appears more accessible in foreign countries than at home.
Havi’s remarks come against the backdrop of traffic disruptions across Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) on Thursday, April 9, following a security advisory issued by the Kenya Police Service to facilitate two high-profile presidential engagements.
In his statement, Havi expressed concern over what he termed a contradiction in presidential security protocols.
“The President is always unsafe at home but safe abroad. Why are you Kenyans always a threat to your President?” he posed.
He specifically questioned why President Ruto is often seen walking freely and interacting with the public in first-world countries during official visits, yet similar movements are rare in Nairobi, where tight security and road closures are frequently enforced.
His comments have reignited debate over the balance between security and public access, with critics pointing to the inconvenience caused by road closures and heavy police deployments in the city.
Others, however, argue that threat levels differ significantly between countries and that local intelligence assessments dictate the level of protection accorded to the President at any given time.
The issue has once again thrust into the spotlight the broader question of whether Kenya’s security environment allows for a more open and approachable presidency, or whether heightened caution at home remains necessary.
As Nairobi residents grapple with recurring traffic disruptions during presidential functions, Havi’s remarks have amplified calls for a review of how state movements are managed in the capital.