Police deny recalling Sonko’s bodyguards
The National Police Service has denied claims that it had withdrawn Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko’s bodyguards, saying it was harmonising all VIPs’ security detail.
Spokesman Charles Owino said the National Security Committee (NSC) approves a maximum of five bodyguards for every governor.
“Any additional bodyguards attached to any governor or anyone else have been removed. It is not true that the governor’s guards were withdrawn,” Mr Owino said.
The NPS has asked county commanders to harmonise the number of bodyguards attached to the governors to conform with the NSC’s recommendation.
The Nation has learnt that the Interior ministry is implementing a new policy that will see the number of bodyguards attached to VIPs reduced to free more police officers to serve the public.
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 rationalise 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”.