Koome: Uhuru Security Detail Has Been Scaled Down

After hours of speculations whether the government had withdrawn the security unit of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Inspector General of police Japheth Koome has confirmed that the security of the former head of state has been scaled down, as opposed to being withdrawn entirely as earlier speculated.

In a press briefing in Mombasa, County Koome said that the presidential escort unit which is headed by an Assistant Inspector General of Police has been recalled, adding that units mandated to protect former presidents must be of a lower rank.

The former head of state’s security will now be headed by a police superintendent. With the first family still enjoying state security. The former first lady Margaret Kenyatta and the properties of the first family will still be guarded by state officers.

On allegations of withdrawing the security of former interior cabinet secretary Fred Matiangi and former interior principal secretary Karanja Kibicho , Koome says that security has to be given priority to seating government officials rather that former and retired officials.

Koome has disputed claims that the scaling down of security details has been politicized and has said he can’t play politics with such a crucial matter as security of a former head of state.