Police spokesperson Charles Owino has defended the recent withdrawal of security detail from a section of Kenyan politicians.
Owino says the withdrawal of bodyguards assigned to the leaders has nothing to do with politics.
Speaking to journalists, Owino says the withdrawal is part of an ongoing change that will affect all leaders including Cabinet Secretaries, MPs, Governors, and other VIPs.
Owino explains that the transformation process will see VIPs only guarded by Administration Police officers
“We have recalled our officers who have been undertaking protective services and then the services will be given by administrative police. So no MP, Minister, governor or senator will totally lose his (or her) security.” Owino clarifies.
There were claims that the withdrawal of bodyguards only targeted leaders allied to Deputy President William Ruto.
This came after security detail of MPs Aisha Jumwa( Malindi), Kimani Ichung’wah (Kikuyu) Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati) Alice Wahome (Kandara) Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika and Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu were recalled.
Some of the affected leaders claimed this was an attempt to intimidate them over their political stand.
“No reason was communicated to myself and all I can find in this withdrawal is a calculated and targeted political move to intimidate and coerce me and others over our political views and standing”.
“Anyone who imagines that political coercion, intimidation, and threats of political assassinations can and will direct political discourse in modern Kenya is living in the very dark past of our democracy and I will remain steadfast in what I believe in and will not be coerced into submitting to the parochial tribal politics,” said Kikuyu MP Ichung’wah.