Uhuru Loses GSU Cops

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has been hit with changes affecting his security team as some of the General Service Unit (GSU) officers attached to him have been recalled.

A report by Citizen TV indicated that the number of security personnel has been rationalized as the recalling took place for the purposes of redeployment.

The changes were also said to have included the scaling down or withdrawal of security personnel attached to some members of the former first family.

The report further stated that some changes had been effected on the number of officers guarding the homes of members of the family of the retired Head of State and that the numbers had been scaled down. Some of the officers were directed to report to the GSU headquarters for redeployment.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta's motorcade. /FILE

The directive also affected close and extended family members of the fourth president, most of whom have enjoyed the privilege for more than 10 years.

NTV further reported that the security of former Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS), Fred Matiang'i and his PS counterpart, Karanja Kibicho, have been reduced, having enjoyed the privilege of 12 security officers at their disposal.

The numbers have been reduced to two each while a senior police officer attached to Uhuru was recalled in orders that were reportedly effected on Thursday morning. GSU officers and some of the presidential escort unit members were required to leave their stations and report to the headquarters.

It was however not established whether the restructuring is a normal operating procedure or politically motivated.

According to the Presidential Benefits Act, a retired president will continue to enjoy VIP security with six security guards, however, this will be certified by the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, in this case being Kithure Kindiki, who is yet to issue an official comment on the matter.

Also, the retired president’s urban and rural homes will be guarded by a maximum of six security guards this too to be approved by the Interior CS.

Though the Act entitles the former president to a maximum of six guards, former President Kenyatta is said to have been assigned 119 officers; information which Viral Tea could not independently ascertain.

The changes in VIP protection sparked memories of a near-similar security procedure that occurred on August 26, 2021, which saw General Service Unit officers guarding then Deputy President William Ruto's official residence in Karen withdrawn and replaced by Administration Police (AP) officers.

The latest round of changes also came hot on the heels of public differences between President Ruto and former President Uhuru, when the latter on January 31 responded to calls from the Kenya Kwanza government to have his family and former President Daniel arap Moi's family pay taxes including land rates.