Deputy President William Ruto has protested the move to make changes within his security team and now claims that his life is in danger.
In a letter to the Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai, DP Ruto said that the move to change his security team and five drivers had a motive that was not clear but ulterior.
In his sentiments, Ruto questioned Mutyambai on why he has never taken action against those who have been saying that he will not be there in 2022.
“On numerous occasions, persons well known to you have publicly stated that Ruto will not be there in 2022. You have refused to act upon reports made to you on the implications of such remarks for the security, safety and wellbeing of the DP,” the letter signed by Ken Osinde who is DP Ruto’s chief of staff read in part.
In the last two days, Ruto has seen changes made within his security team which started on Thursday, August 26 when a total of 77 officers drawn from the General Service Unit (GSU) who have been guarding his residence in Karen were replaced by Administration Police (AP) officers.
On Friday, August 27, five drivers who were attached to the prison team were also recalled but in an exclusive interview with DP Ruto’s spokesperson Emmanuel Talam, three of them have already been ordered to report back to work with his transport team as the norm.
“This morning, the Deputy President was briefed that you have instructed the security officer in charge of GSU attached to his official residence in Karen to withdraw all officers effective 2pm. The withdrawal extends to all of His Excellency’s residence. At this stage, no explanation has been offered for the strange and unlawful decision,” the letter further read.
He further argued that the decision to make the changes was contrary to the National Police Service standing orders which state that the President and his Deputy's security teams should be from the GSU.
In the letter, Ruto gave a chronological context of incidents relevant to this development in which the security of the DP has been threatened.
Here are the events that the DP feels make his life in danger;
On July 29, 2017- a gunman forced his way to the DPs rural home in Sugoi, murdered a GSU officer, injured another and laid siege for hours.
On January 8, 2020- you instructed security officers to lock His Excellency the Deputy President out of his official residence in Mombasa and it remains locked to date.
On September 10, 2020- chaos erupted in Kisii town ahead of DP arrival for a youth function. The police officers became mere bystanders as the chaos went on. To date no official communication has been made about it.
On October 4, 2020- You instructed armed police officers to violently stop the DP from attending a church service in Murang’a county where teargas was lobbed to worshippers at Kenol AIPCA church. No action has been taken to date.
On August 24, 2021- You instructed armed police officers to violently disperse mourners, damage property and disrupt the funeral ahead of DP Ruto’s arrival.
The IG was questioned on why he has never investigated reports about meetings held at Hotel La Mada. In addition, he has never taken his time to make any follow-ups on the security concerns raised by the DP.
