VIDEO: Ruto's security intervenes after man broke protocol, charged at President in Kilifi

Tensions briefly flared in Kilifi County after a man breached protocol and ran toward the dais during President William Ruto's address.

In a video seen by TNX Africa, the man, who appeared to be holding a Bible, rushed toward the podium as Ruto was speaking, momentarily interrupting the event. Speaking faintly through the president’s microphone, he was heard saying, “Nimetoka Nairobi,” before officers from the Presidential Escort Unit swiftly moved in.

Within seconds, the man was pinned to the ground and dragged away from the podium. Amid the scuffle, Ruto appeared to urge his security team not to manhandle him, seemingly willing to hear him out.

“Wachana na yeye! Wewe, leave this man alone!” Ruto pleaded, although the security officers appeared to ignore the instruction.

Later, after returning to the podium, the president sought to calm the crowd by joking about the incident and praising the man’s boldness.

“Huyo kijana hana shida. Nafikiri amejifunza kutokana na Fikirini Jacobs kwamba nafasi ikipatikana, asiipoteze,” he said as the crowd laughed. “Huyo kijana wachana naye, nitamshughulikia baadaye. Ni kijana mzuri,” he added before continuing with his speech.

This is not the first time Ruto’s security detail has faced such a breach. Months earlier, a similar incident forced the president to briefly pause his speech during a visit to Wajir.

While addressing residents at Wajir Stadium, an unidentified man dressed in a white shirt and jeans reportedly emerged from behind the podium and charged toward the Head of State.

Presidential guards and the aide-de-camp quickly wrestled the man to the ground. As in the Kilifi incident, Ruto urged the officers to ease up, telling them, “Wacha akae hapo. Wacha arelax.”

The man later claimed he only wanted to speak to the president about his ambitions to vie for a Member of County Assembly seat.

The incidents add to a growing list of public security scares involving the president, including a widely publicised episode in Migori.

During that tour, a shoe was hurled at the president while he was launching an affordable housing project in Kehancha. The object struck his arm before falling to the ground.

Ruto briefly paused before continuing with his speech as security personnel rushed to shield him.

Three suspects were later arrested in connection with the shoe-throwing incident.