Assistant Inspector General of Police William Oloonkishu Yiampoy, was on Friday, October 21, promoted to head the Presidential Escort Unit.
Before his new assignment, Yiampoy served as the head of security in the Office of the Deputy President.
Yiampoy, who now leads the security team protecting Ruto, is also a retired Kenyan middle-distance runner who featured in the 800m races.
The retired athlete began his career as police in 1991 before he began running in 1996 while doing a Signals course at Police Training College.
His first International competitive athletics career began in 1999 when he participated in nine European races.
In 2000 he was selected to replace Patrick Konchellah Sydney Olympic Games. Yiampoy finished fifth in the Olympic semi-final while suffering the after-effects of malaria.
Four years later, in 2004, William Yiampoy won the men's 800m event at the IAAF Golden League meet at the Stade de France in Paris. The following year he went on to win again at the same venue.
His greatest athletics career achievement happened in Bruxelles, Belgium, when he set the 4*800m relay world record with three other Kenyans.
Yiampoy, Joseph Mwengi, Ismael Kipngetich and Wilfred Bungei still hold the record to date since 2006.
The world record holder, with his new appointment, will also be required to provide security to the first family and visiting heads of state.
He will further work closely with Ruto's aide de camp, Colonel Fabian Lengusuranga, to execute his duties effectively.