RUNDOWN
• Koome told journalists in Mombasa that he recalled the head of Uhuru’s security who held the rank of Assistant Inspector General and replaced him with an officer of a lower rank for operational and command reasons.
• Kenyatta had been enjoying protection from more than 15 security personnel since leaving office in August last year.
Reports indicate that General Service Unit (GSU) Officers attached to former President Uhuru Kenyatta and close members of his family, including his mother Mama Ngina were down scaled and only few left.
Kenyatta had been enjoying protection from more than 15 security personnel since leaving office in August last year when he handed over to his estranged deputy.
Koome told journalists in Mombasa that he recalled the head of Uhuru’s security who held the rank of Assistant Inspector General and replaced him with an officer of a lower rank for operational and command reasons.
“Let us not say that the officers have been withdrawn, these are just changes that are bound to happen in the structure of the police service as guided by the regulations and the police standing orders, those other units whether protecting the deputy president, the retired president, must be of lower rank for command-and-control purposes. The officers who are there, I have recalled them to be given command and responsibility commensurate with their rank,” he said.
Koome also dismissed claims that the decision to downgrade the security of former Head of State was driven by politics.
“There is no politics at play when it comes to the security of VIPs. We are a responsible police service and we would not like to be dragged into politics because we are an independent office. I’m available if any of the senior leaders have any issues, whatever has been done is in good faith,” Koome said.
Leaders allied to Kenyatta said his security was scaled down six, just five months after handing over to his estranged deputy William Ruto who won the presidential election, defeating long-time Opposition chief Raila Odinga who enjoyed the establishment’s backing.
By Irene Mutu.
