IG Koome Explains Scaling Down of Uhuru’s Security Detail

Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome says retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s security has been reduced but not withdrawn.

Speaking on Friday after rumors swirled that the former head of state’s security and that of his family had been withdrawn on Thursday evening, the IG said the former first family is safe and secure.

“They are safe and secure. All including former government officials,” he explained.

He elucidated that the changes were only part of a restructuring plan within the National Police Service (NPS).

Read: Former President Uhuru’s Security Allegedly Reduced

According to the IG, he recalled the officer in charge of the retired president’s security in compliance with NPS regulations.

“Once the president has retired, the commander is a superintendent of police. An officer who was of the rank of an assistant Inspector General was with the retired president,” he said.

“So how do you expect an assistant Inspector General to report to another assistant Inspector General.”

He also dismissed claims that the move was a political witch-hunt.

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He also told reporters that contrary to reports doing rounds on social media, former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta’s security was intact.

“The former First Lady has security, not just the former first lady, even our late two former Presidents, we secure their premises. We respect those offices, we provide security,” Koome said.

The police boss confirmed that the scaling down had also affected other former government officials.

According to Koome, the adjustments were made to rationalize security deployment across the country and guarantee a balanced distribution of security personnel.

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He further noted that it would be unreasonable to force former government officials to keep the same number of security guards while sitting officials also require security to carry out their mandate.

“Don’t politicise this issue. I am a policeman, an arbiter out to protect all. I am neutral and it is out of my priorities,” Koome said.

According to the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act of 2013, the former president is entitled to at least six bodyguards and, as needed and as determined by the ministry of interior, security in both urban and rural homes.

However, if Parliament passes a resolution on the matter, the same statute permits the state to deny him the benefits.

This may occur if the retired president accepts a paid job with the government, serves more than three years in prison, or actively engages in political administration.