- Maiyo takes over from William Yiampoy who was on July 12 moved to police headquarters and named the director of operations.
- Yiampoi had also served with Ruto from when he was the Deputy President and later as the President for 12 years.
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Long-serving head of operations of security in the office of President William Ruto was Tuesday promoted and named new Presidential Escort Unit (PEU) Commandant.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police Noah Maiyo has served as the head of operations at PEU for two years and was in 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.
Maiyo takes over from William Yiampoy who was on July 12 moved to police headquarters and named the director of operations.
Yiampoi had also 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,” the memo reads.
Maiyo has 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 the officers drawn from GSU’s G-Company.
PEU is a fully-fledged team, which can handle the movement of the President and his family anytime.
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.