Chaos Breaks Out at Maa Festival in Narok as Ruto Arrives

Chaos erupted at the Maa Cultural and Tourism Festival in Narok County on Saturday, November 14, 2026. The event was briefly disrupted as President William Ruto arrived at Sekenani Gate for the celebrations.

Clashes broke out between groups of supporters. Those groups are allegedly allied to Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo and Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu. Videos from the venue show people running across the grounds. Chairs were thrown near the dais, and several lay broken or scattered.

The fighting began as the President approached the main venue. It is unclear whether he had reached the dais when the confrontation started. Some attendees were seen carrying ceremonial Maasai rungus. Journalists and camera crews rushed to move their equipment away from the stage as light rain fell across the Mara landscape.

Governor Ole Ntutu and Senator Ledama Olekina later urged calm. Their appeal persuaded the rival groups to return to the podium. The festival then resumed after a short pause.

Officers from the Presidential Escort Unit and the General Service Unit moved in to secure the Head of State. Photos and videos show GSU officers forming a tight cordon around Ruto, with rifles in hand.

The National Police Service has not yet issued a statement on the incident. It is unclear what sparked the clashes or whether anyone was hurt.

The incident comes amid wider security concerns around the President. In May 2026, a man breached security during a public address in Ganze, Kilifi County. He reached the dais and came close to Ruto before officers removed him. Inspector General Douglas Kanja called it a serious breach and ordered an investigation. The Presidential Escort Unit later changed its commandant.