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Inner Circle | Kenya
Ruto's security apparatus explained

Published on 20.03.2026 at 05:40 GMT Reading time 6 minutes

Kenyan President William Ruto in Nairobi, on 17 October 2025. © Gerald Anderson/Anadolu via AFP

The Kenyan president has surrounded himself with a close circle of political, military and police officials to address the terrorist threats facing the country. While the army's high command is commendable for its cohesion, the internal security establishment presents a more divided image.

In early February, William Ruto announced the upcoming reopening of the Kenya-Somalia border, which has been closed for 15 years due to attacks by the Islamist group Al-Shabaab. This unexpected decision surprised many within the security establishment (AI, 23/02/26). In this delicate context, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) remain well-positioned at

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Inner Circle | Kenya
Ruto's security apparatus explained

The Kenyan president has surrounded himself with a close circle of political, military and police officials to address the terrorist threats facing the country. While the army's high command is commendable for its cohesion, the internal security establishment presents a more divided image.

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Related topics to this article

Read also

Kenya
Ministers and communicators clash over the stance to take on fuel crisis

Kenya
Ruto pushes ahead with Turkana airport project

Kenya
Oil scandal showdown looms between Ruto and anti-corruption agency

Kenya
Nairobi lines up defence agreements with Italy, France, China and Germany

Kenya
Purge of oil top brass stirs unrest within the government

Kenya
Air Force and German manufacturer Grob seek to revive pilot training programme

Kenya
Battle of influence between Tel Aviv and Tehran

Kenya
Ruto set for sweeping coastal land seizures ahead of campaign season

Kenya
Ruto's decision to reopen the Somali border catches Washington off guard

Kenya
Beijing presses Nairobi to sign security pact

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Questions raised over who will head powerful criminal investigations unit

Kenya
Massive drug seizure creates friction between police and army

Kenya
Communication breakdown at top of police force

About Africa Intelligence

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Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Africa Intelligence

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Indigo Publications' websites

Inner Circle | Kenya Ruto's security apparatus explained

The Kenyan president has surrounded himself with a close circle of political, military and police officials to address the terrorist threats facing the country. While the army's high command is commendable for its cohesion, the internal security establishment presents a more divided image.

This article may be accessed by subscribers

Do you want a free trial before subscribing?

Create your free account

create a free account

Related topics to this article

Read also

Kenya Ministers and communicators clash over the stance to take on fuel crisis

Kenya Ruto pushes ahead with Turkana airport project

Kenya Oil scandal showdown looms between Ruto and anti-corruption agency

Kenya Nairobi lines up defence agreements with Italy, France, China and Germany

Kenya Purge of oil top brass stirs unrest within the government

Kenya Air Force and German manufacturer Grob seek to revive pilot training programme

Kenya Battle of influence between Tel Aviv and Tehran

Kenya Ruto set for sweeping coastal land seizures ahead of campaign season

Kenya Ruto's decision to reopen the Somali border catches Washington off guard

Kenya Beijing presses Nairobi to sign security pact

Kenya Questions raised over who will head powerful criminal investigations unit

Kenya Massive drug seizure creates friction between police and army

Kenya Communication breakdown at top of police force

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Inner Circle | Kenya
Ruto's security apparatus explained

Kenya
Ministers and communicators clash over the stance to take on fuel crisis

Kenya
Ruto pushes ahead with Turkana airport project

Kenya
Oil scandal showdown looms between Ruto and anti-corruption agency

Kenya
Nairobi lines up defence agreements with Italy, France, China and Germany

Kenya
Purge of oil top brass stirs unrest within the government

Kenya
Air Force and German manufacturer Grob seek to revive pilot training programme

Kenya
Battle of influence between Tel Aviv and Tehran

Kenya
Ruto set for sweeping coastal land seizures ahead of campaign season

Kenya
Ruto's decision to reopen the Somali border catches Washington off guard

Kenya
Beijing presses Nairobi to sign security pact

Kenya
Questions raised over who will head powerful criminal investigations unit

Kenya
Massive drug seizure creates friction between police and army

Kenya
Communication breakdown at top of police force