Koome Defends Decision to Scale Down Former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Security

Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome has denied reports that the government has withdrawn the security detail attached to former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Speaking in Mombasa on Friday, Koome said Kenyatta’s security has only been scaled down in line with the law.

He explained that the presidential escort unit of a sitting president falls under the command of an Assistant IG but upon retirement, the leadership of the unit is transferred to a superintendent, who reports directly to a deputy IG.

Koome noted that having an Assistant IG leading the former president’s security detail would have caused a conflict in the chain of command since an officer of the same rank is in charge of President Ruto’s security.

“Once a president is retired the commander of his escort unit is a superintendent of police. That has been the arrangement since the late President Moi retired,” said Koome.

“An officer who was at the rank of assistant IG was with the just-retired president. So how do you expect an assistant IG to report to another assistant IG?”

Koome said the Assistant IG who was in charge of Kenyatta’s security has since been recalled and will be assigned 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 ensure that we are fair to every senior citizen. Our mandate is to serve all without bias,” he said.

Koome similarly noted that the security detail of the former First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and retired Cabinet Secretaries have been scaled down since they are no longer in office.

“We do secure their premises and provide security to them but you can’t give the same security detail to retired government officials as those who are on active duty,” he said.

Insisting that he acts independently, Koome dismissed claims that the Executive compelled him to scale down Kenyatta’s security.

“If you look at the law, remember that as the IG I discharge my mandate independently. Whatever I do, I am guided by the constitution and the laws of this country. There is no politics in this. The IG will not allow being dragged into politics,” he said.