Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta's security has been scaled down, Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome has confirmed.
Addressing members of the press in Mombasa on Friday, February 3, Koome dismissed witchhunt claims in the latest move, insisting that the changes in the former Head of State's security were done in good faith.
Koome noted that the officer in charge of the former President's security had been recalled as part of changes meant to comply with the regulations of the National Police Service (NPS).
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"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. So how do you expect an assistant Inspector General to report to another assistant Inspector General. Will there be order?" Koome posed.
He insisted that units protecting the deputy president and retired presidents must be of lower rank for command and control purposes.
"That is what we have done. It's true, the officer who was there was an assistant Inspector General. I have recalled that officer to be given command responsibilities commensurate with his rank," he insisted.
"Whatever has been done is in good faith… The Inspector General is available if any of our senior leaders have any issues. Ours is to ensure we are fair to every citizen," he added.
Koome denied also denied claims that the security of the former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta had been withdrawn
"The former First Lady has security. Let us not speculate," Koome said.
Further, Koome clarified that the security of some leaders including former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i and his Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho also had their security scaled down in recent changes.
"Even former Cabinet ministers you have had some of them say they don't need to wake up early because they are retired. Do you give them the same security as those in the office who need to be in the office by 6am and who leave the office at times 10pm. Let us be sincere. Is there logic in what I'm saying?" he posed.
He added: "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."
There have been claims from a section of the political class that Uhuru, who left office in September last year, was being victimised over his support for the Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga, who lost to President William Ruto in the last election.
Raila has renewed his rivalry with President Ruto over recent calls for rallies across the country to protest against the Kenya Kwanza administration which he claims is illegitimate.
