Editor's Review

Matiang'i told the committee that the deputy president is accorded 24/7 security by elite officers from the presidential protection unit.

Ministry of Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i has today, September 1, 2021, appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Administration and National Security to answer for the downgrade of Deputy President William Ruto's security.

The CS was accompanied by Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho and Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai.

Matiang'i told the committee that the deputy president is accorded 24/7 security by elite officers from the presidential protection unit under the supervision of the commissioner of police and senior officers.

 Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i (right) and Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho when they appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Administration and National Security on September 1, 2021. |Courtesy| Twitter|

The CS proceeded to reveal to the committee that DP Ruto is the most protected deputy in the history of the country, with a security detail of 257 officers.

He broke down the deputy president's security detail as follows; The inner layer, which comprises the Presidential Escort Unit, the deputy president is protected by 74 officers including 6 DCI officers and 5 GSU.

The DP also enjoys a second layer of Auxiliary Personnel totaling 121 officers who operate on a 24-hour clock.

Secondary Units offering security to the DP's properties include: Kitengela Gas - 6, Weston Hotel - 6, Transmara Farm - 6, ADC Laikipia Mutara Ranch - 6, Dolphine Hotel Mombasa - 6, Mater farm Taita Taveta - 6, Elgon View Home - 4 officers, Poultry Farm Eldoret - 4, and Wilson Airport Hanger - 6.

"Cumulatively, the strength of personnel allocated to this office are 257," CS Matiang'i stated.

The CS told the committee that he would not list any more assets owned by the DP and afforded protection by security agencies for obvious reasons.

Matiang'i maintained that there was no removal of the security personal of the DP, stating that it was a rearrangement. He revealed that IG Mutyambai consulted within the structures of security sector before making the changes.

"The rearrangement was not a matter of win-score. So many considerations were made, and we looked at a number of things. What has happened was legal, procedural," stated.

He appealed to the committee to shield the ministry from insults directed their way from political factions not appeased by the incident.

"It is not right to insinuate that there is failure on our part or that there are gaps in what we are doing. Everything that is being done here is procedural and according to the law," Matiang'i said.