The National Police Service has refuted claims that it had withdrawn Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko’s bodyguards, saying it was harmonizing all VIPs’ security detail.
Spokesman Charles Owino said the National Security Committee (NSC) gives a maximum of five bodyguards for every governor.
“Any additional bodyguards attached to any governor or anyone else have been taken away. It is not true that the governor’s guards were withdrawn,” Mr Owino said.
The NPS has requested county commanders to harmonize the number of bodyguards working for the governors to conform with the NSC’s recommendation.
Apart from the General Service Unit (GSU), other officers that provide security to VIPs are drawn from the Securing of Government Buildings Unit (SGB), which is under the Administration Police Service (APS).
Last month, Interior CS Fred Matiang’i asked the NPS to rationalize the number of police officers attached to VIPs, saying Kenyans needed more officers taking care of their security. On Wednesday, Mr Owino said some governors had two bodyguards while others had “too many”.