Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has had 13 bodyguards attached to him withdrawn by the National Police Service.
Sonko has been left with two security officers protecting him and two others guarding his Nairobi and Machakos homes.
The withdrawal will take effect on July 1st and is part of a plan by government to recall more than 5,000 bodyguards attached to VIPs.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said the number of officers assigned to VIPs will be reduced by half in the next two months. The officers will be re-deployed to protect life and property of ordinary citizens.
“Government to reduce the levels of VIP protection by 50% by July this year so that the officers can be deployed to protect life and property of ordinary citizens, says Interior CS Dr. Matiang’i,” Ministry of Interior spokesperson Mwenda Njoka said in a tweet two weeks ago.
The government, will at the same time, review the law to define who is a VIP and who deserves to be assigned with bodyguards.
“Once we figure out who is a VIP and who is not, then the number will be higher which means more police for the general public,” added Njoka.
In a memo to county commanders, Police headquarters asked them to confirm the number officers attached to area Governors.
“As a matter of urgency, please confirm the number of officers within your divisional area who are currently attached as escort or bodyguard of governors. Please treat this as urgent,” said a memo sent to all commanders.
Governors are entitled to a maximum of four security officers, but a majority of them have been moving around with up to 20 bodyguards.
Police spokesman Charles Owino said the withdrawal is targeting all Governors and VIPs with excess security details. Owino spoke after Governor Sonko complained that his security officers had been recalled.
Why would a governor have…
Why would a governor have ten, twenty bodyguards? Is a governor a mini -president. I think Kenya has a lot of resources and manpower to waste. Even in the US and elsewhere, senators and governors have less protection. Why would our elected officials need so much protection? My bet is that they are being shielded for corruption and thievery of public resources that many do with impunity.
MPigs do not need to be…
MPigs do not need to be given security. Long ago Shikuku & Koigi wa wamwere used to take matatu with no security at all.
This hurts even more knowing…
This hurts even more knowing these guys do not pay taxes yet they are earning much more than an ordinary mwananchi could ever dream of. It is no wonder when it comes to security of ordinary Wanjiku they could care less. With four security guys, someone like Sonko will hire 20 goons to protect him but the wise ones will take measures to curb insecurity in their area of jurisdiction.
Why does this thug need so…
Why does this thug need so much security, doesn’t he have his own cartel goons protecting him already?. He carteled himself to governorship and now he realizes that he can’t run Nairobi County like his cartel click and I hear he is calling for M2 to come rescue him. He should resign and let the good folks of Nairobi choose their leaders and not imposed amateurs.
Sonko to the rescue, I guess…
Sonko to the rescue, I guess he uses most of them to rough up people who disagree with him.