Long serving head of security operations in the office of the President Noah Maiyo has been named the new Presidential Escort Unit Commandant.
Maiyo, who is also an Assistant Inspector General, served as the head of operations at PEU for two years.
He was in a similar position at the Office of the Deputy President for a decade.
An expert in VIP protection, having served in the Presidential Escort for more than 30 years, the new commandant is also an ally to the president.
He takes over from William Yiampoy who was on July 12 moved to police headquarters and named the director of operations.
Yiampoi served with Ruto from when he was the Deputy President and later as the President for 12 years.
An internal memo in the service said Maiyo will take over immediately.
“Following the deployment of the unit commandant William Yiampoi to Vigilance as director of operations, this command informs you that Noah Maiyo.. is the new Presidential Escort Commandant,” says the memo.
Maiyo served in the General Service Unit and Recce, which is responsible for the President’s security. Recce Squad is detailed to protect the President, his family and the Deputy President.
Recce are specially trained for VIP protection.
Together with his family, the President has about 200 security guards drawn from the GSU. State House and state lodges are guarded by officers from GSU’s G-Company.
PEU is a fully-fledged team that can handle the movement of the President and his family any time.
They also provide security to the Deputy President and his family.
They, however, usually get the help of the local police whenever the President visits.
More changes are expected in the police as new commanders take their positions.
For instance, when confirmed, the new Deputy Inspector General of both Kenya Police Service and Administration Police Service will have to name new commanders they will work with.
The new Inspector General of Police will also make changes in the service.
The service is undergoing various reforms that need finances.
