Was The Scaling Down Of Uhuru Security Detail Informed By ‘Pure Personal Vendetta’?
The Mt Kenya Times 
President Uhuru Kenyatta
By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga
Worth Noting:
- The power conferred on me by the constitution is very clear. The job of reorganizing the security details of current and former senior government officials is vested on my shoulders. So, what I have done is within the law.
- The security of former President is still tight and intact. It is true I recalled the officer commanding his security and a few serving under him but I replaced them with equally experienced police officers of high ranking.
- The recalled officers will be deployed to serve Kenyans in other parts of the country.
- Referring to security details of former Interior CS Fred Matiangi and PS Karanja Kibicho which he had also scaled down, the top cop posed.
The decision by Inspector General of Police (IGP) to scale down the security details of former President Uhuru Kenyatta continues to generate mixed reactions.
Kenyatta’s diehard allies and a section of politicians aligned to Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition have questioned the timing, terming it as ‘pure personal vendetta’.
The politicians supporting President William Ruto are, however, backing the IGP’s move.
The reorganisation of security detail of former president is normal.
The shaping of state organs after the transition is not a one-day affair. It takes time. So, IGP decision is within the law.
Uhuru is now a retired head of state and the law is clear that he is not entitled to be accorded the same security detail like when he was at the helm of power.
The scaling down is a legal procedure and is applied to all retired heads of state.
In his reaction, IGP Japheth Koome took head on those faulting him.
Contrary to the impression created that he was working at the behest of top political forces within the Kenya Kwanza administration, he stated.
The power conferred on me by the constitution is very clear. The job of reorganizing the security details of current and former senior government officials is vested on my shoulders. So, what I have done is within the law.
The security of former President is still tight and intact. It is true I recalled the officer commanding his security and a few serving under him but I replaced them with equally experienced police officers of high ranking.
The recalled officers will be deployed to serve Kenyans in other parts of the country.
Referring to security details of former Interior CS Fred Matiangi and PS Karanja Kibicho which he had also scaled down, the top cop posed.
Surely, would you expect someone who has retired and he is tending to his farm somewhere to be entitled to the same security as current heads of security?
As I talk to you, our Interior CS-Kithure Kindiki-is in Mandera to address the rising cases of insecurity caused by Al shabaab militants.
He is accompanied by top security officials. I hope you can now understand my point.
As a police commander, it is my responsibility to ensure all Kenyans are protected and safe.
The media indicated that 96 officers were guarding the former president but the number had been reduced to 25.
IGP would not agree to be drawn into this debate. He only reiterated that Uhuru and members of his family were being accorded enough security.
I agree that the role of reorganizing of security is squarely vested on the hands of IGP.
We saw this happening during the era of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The Israel-trained dreaded members of Recce squad unit guarding DP Ruto’s Karen residence were recalled and replaced with GSUs. They were deployed.
At the time, Ruto’s top confidantes and allies cried foul. However, the decision was not rescinded.
Today, the decision by IGP is enjoying the full backing of President Ruto’s allies.
The lesson we learn here is that the politicians cannot be entrusted with security matters. For them, political interest comes first.
So, I’m happy to note that IGP Koome has been reiterating that the Kenya Police Service is an independent arm of the government.
We are not controlled by anyone and we are not here to please the politicians.
Yes, actions speak more louder than words. For Koome, we have been seeing him walking the talk. So, he falls in that category. I wish him well.
Joseph Mutua Ndonga is a writer and political analyst based in Nairobi
Similar Posts by The Mt Kenya Times:
- Gachagua’s rigging claims: Are Kenyans listening or simply tired?
- The augmented professional: Why AI won’t take your job — but someone using it will
- Kenya’s trade ambition should be matched with smarter risk protection
- Dolly Parton: A life that gave more than it took
- Porsche 911 GT3: The driver’s car that defies the spec sheet
About the Author
