Professor Makau Mutua has rebuked the Kenya Kwanza government for scaling down the security of Former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Taking to his twitter account on Friday, February 3, the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya spokesperson said that Uhuru’s security or that of any former head of state should not be politicized.
The SECURITY of a former head of state/government — in America or in a banana republic like Kenya — isn’t a political matter. It’s about the security of the state itself. Should harm befall a former head of state/government, there would be hell to pay. My two cents.
— Prof Makau Mutua (@makaumutua) February 2, 2023
According to a local daily, a senior police officer who was leading Uhuru’s security team has been recalled and replaced with one of a lower rank.
It has emerged that from the 96 elite police officers attached to Uhuru, only 25 have been left to guard him while former first lady Margaret Kenyatta has been left with five.
Also Read: Uhurus Security Scaled Down
According to the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act, a retired president is entitled to guards for personal and escort unit, as well as “adequate security” at the rural and urban residences.
Previously, the law capped the number at 12 guards, but it was amended in 2013 to remove the upper limit.
Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome confirmed that security personnel attached to former Interior CS Fred Matiangi and former PS Karanja Kibicho was scaled down, because they’re no longer serving in government.
Koome described the changes as normal, saying former officials can’t enjoy the same security status as those serving.
“There is no politics in this. And the Inspector General will not accept to be dragged into politics,” Koome told a news conference on Friday.
The security officers attached to Uhuru’s immediate family members have all been withdrawn, a move that has sparked uproar line.
