Police Chief Koome on Downscaling of President Uhuru’s Security
Inspector General of Police (IG) Japhet Koome has denied claims that the State has withdrawn the security detail assigned to former President Uhuru Kenyatta, instead claiming that his bodyguards have been reduced by the law.
IG Koome explained in Mombasa on Friday that the presidential escort unit of a sitting president is under the command of an Assistant IG, but when the president retires, the unit’s leadership is transferred to a superintendent who reports directly to a deputy IG.
Koome claimed that having an Assistant IG continue to lead former President Kenyatta’s security detail would have created a conflict in the chain of command because an officer of the same rank is in charge of President Ruto’s security command.
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“When a president retires, the commander of his escort unit becomes a superintendent of police. That has been the arrangement since the late President Moi’s retirement,” Koome explained.
“An officer with the rank of assistant IG was with the recently retired president. So how do you expect one assistant IG to report to another?”
Koome went on to say that he has since recalled the Assistant Inspector General in charge of Uhuru’s security detail to give him responsibilities commensurate with his rank.
“So whatever has been done is in good faith and the IG is available if any of our leaders have any issues. Ours is to make certain that we are fair to all senior citizens. “Our mandate is to serve all without discrimination,” he explained.
He also disclosed that the security detail of former First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and retired Cabinet Secretaries have been reduced because they are no longer on active duty.
“We secure their premises and provide security for them, but you can’t give retired government officials the same security detail as active duty,” he explained.
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“The current Interior CS is in Mandera, and he is accompanied by security. People are talking about the retired CS, but is he still in Mandera?”
The State, according to IG Koome, did not compel him to sanction the changes in security personnel of retired government officials.
“When you look at the law, keep in mind that as the IG, I am free to carry out my duties. Whatever I do, I am guided by the country’s constitution and laws. This has nothing to do with politics. The Inspector General will not be drawn into politics “He stated.
On Thursday, reports surfaced that the former President’s security detail had been reduced, but top security officials remained tight-lipped about the matter.
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