NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 1 – Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi has denied reports that the recent withdrawal of GSU guards from the State residence of the Deputy President in Karen amounted to a downgrade.
Matiangi told a parliamentary committee on security on Wednesday that Ruto retained his close protection unit comprised of Presidential Escort Unit with a total of 74 officers.
“The accurate position is that the security of the Deputy President was reassigned. The Security of Government Buildings Unit took over from the General Service Unit,” he said.
He said the second layer of security comprising of GSU was changed to Administration Police after consultations among national security agencies.
Matiangi said a total of 257 officers guard installations of interest to the Deputy President including a hangar at Wilson airport and his farms.
“Contrary to the allegations made the Deputy President is the most guarded in history of the country in comparison with previous equivalent office holders,” he said.
Whereas the security agencies have been faulted for not notifying Ruto on the rearrangement of his security detail, Matiangi stated that it was unnecessary for the security team to do so arguing that the move was normal police routine work.
“We did not need to notify him because that was purely routine police work and so why would we write letters informing him of what is routine?” he posed as he clarified that they would have only notified Ruto if the rearrangement was being done on his Presidential Escort Unit officers.
Matiangi noted that it was unfortunate that a section of Kenyans had taken the issue out of context and accused them of perpetuating “juvenile activism and petty propaganda”.
He in particular took issue with Ruto’s Chief of Staff Ken Osinde whom he accused of prosecuting the whole matter on social media instead of following the correct channels.
“We need to be serious with ourselves and stop being sympathy addicts who only aim to seek sympathy from the public,” the CS said.
While allaying fears that Ruto’s security has been compromised following the rearrangement, Matiangi was candid that security agencies continue to sufficiently ensure that Ruto is well protected.
“We always comply when the office of the Deputy President asks for more officers because we cannot risk anything and later be subjected to the fury of Kenyans when something happens,” he said.
The change of security that caught many Kenyans by surprise including a section of Ruto’s critics followed President Uhuru Kenyatta’s remarks daring the Deputy President to resign from government instead of criticizing it from within.
Ruto replied saying he would not quit, equating such a move to the betrayal of voters who elected him on a joint ticket with Kenyatta.
“I was not elected to sell Ice Cream,” he said, “I was elected to solve the problems Kenyans are facing, that includes lack of jobs for the millions of youths out there among others.”
