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The Council of Governors (CoG) has condemned the decision by government to withdraw police officers attached to two governors.

In a statement signed by CoG Chairman Peter Munya and sent to newsroom on Friday, Mr Munya termed the withdrawal of Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi's security officers unconstitutional.

"We are aware that neither of the affected officers received formal communication prior to withdrawal of the said officers from county premises and official residences," the two-page statement read in part.

"Article 260 of the Constitution includes the office of the governor as a state office, and subsequently, governors must before assuming the State office, take and subscribe to the oath of office which serve as an affirmation to the entire public that the respective individual has been given the responsibility to serve constituents and in the discharge of his or her duties, is entitled to certain privileges."

"The office of the Inspector-General should therefore have followed formal procedures if they had reasonable grounds for withdrawing security for (Governors) Hassan Joho and Amason Kingi."

Munya said Coast Regional Police Commander Francis Wanjohi had failed to provide satisfactory justification for the abrupt action taken by his office, and why the withdrawal of the police officers was never communicated at all to any of the governors.

Last week, the government withdrew police officers attached to Governors Joho and Kingi.

Police headquarters said not all officers assigned to the two governors had been withdrawn arguing the development was part of the reorganisation of security for all the governors.

Police headquarters said a decision had been reached that all the 47 governors be assigned five security officers down from 15.

Joho and Kingi however, later, said all security officers attached to them had been withdrawn without any explanation.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaiserry on Saturday also ordered Joho to surrender a licenced firearm in his procession.