Interior CS Fred Matiang’i has taken a stand against claims that Deputy President William Ruto’s security team has been withdrawn.
Addressing the National Assembly Security Committee today, Matiang’i firmly stated that Ruto is the most guarded politician in Kenya’s history compared to previous vice presidents.
Matiang’i told the committee that Ruto has a total of 257 officers.
“Contrary to the allegations made and given the tabled evidence (annex land 2), H.E. the Deputy President is the most guarded in the history of the country in comparison with previous equivalent office-holders,” said Matiang’i.
The CS outlined a three-layer structure of Ruto’s security team.
The first layer comprises a total of 85 officers;74 from the elite Presidential Escort Unit, 5 from General Service Unit and 6 DCI officers.
All the 85 officers under the command of a Commissioner of Police are in charge of the 24-hour protection of the DP.
The second layer has 121 officers from the Administration Police Unit and Prison department.
The officers are in charge of 24-hour mobile patrol within Ruto’s homes.
The last layer, auxiliary security, is mandated to guard the deputy president’s properties.
Matiang’i said that all previous vice presidents had only 14 officers from the Presidential Escort Unit, unlike Ruto who has 74.
For the officers guarding residences of previous vice presidents, all of Ruto’s predecessors had between eight to 16 officers assigned to them while Ruto has 183.
The Interior CS added that Jaramogi Odinga, Kenya’s first VP, had a total of 30 officers, Joseph Murumbi 22, Daniel Moi 34, Mwai Kibaki 26, Josephat Karanja 22, George Saitoti 30, Musalia Mudavadi 22, Michael Wamalwa 22, Moody Awori 22, and Kalonzo Musyoka 26.
ODM leader Raila Odinga had 57 officers guarding him and his residences when he was Prime Minister.
By Everlyne Bosibori
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