Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has denied claims by Coast Regional Coordinator Nelson Marwa that he owns a private militia.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday in Mombasa, Joho termed the allegations as malicious propaganda instigated by his political rivals.
Joho asked Marwa to stop sensationalising the issue of his security, adding that he has a right to chose his own security detail.
Joho's statement comes barely a week after Marwa claimed that the governor has a private militia, and ordered him to surrender them immediately or face dire consequences.
Joho's security detail was withdrawn in early January, but was later reinstated following reorganisation in the police force.
However, he declined the new security team claiming that they were spies sent to plant illegal substances in his home.