The Interior Ministry has dealt a huge blow on governors with the latest moved to reduce the number of armed guards seconded to them.
Governors according to a source at Police headquarters should have four armed bodyguards but some of them have upto 10 bodyguards.
A directive sent from police headquarters directed all county police commanders to ascertain the number of officers and escort seconded to governors in their respective counties.
“As a matter of urgency, please confirm the number of officers within your divisional area who are currently attached as escort or bodyguard of governors. Please treat this as urgent,” a memo read according to the Standard.
This is part of a fresh move to scale down the number of police officers seconded to VIPs.
Parastatal bosses have also been affected by these new changes as their security will be withdrawn.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i said in two months’ time, they will scale down to half the number of officers seconded to VIPs.
The CS said 12,000 officers have been assigned to various VIPs as drivers, bodyguards and even messengers while they should be working to protect Kenyans.
Matiang’i is reportedly said to have been agitated after learning that private ranches in Laikipia are manned by police officers.
“Some private ranches have up to 200 armed officers who are paid allowances by the state. Some VIPs have up to 12 bodyguards when Kenyans are suffering,” an official privy to the happenings said.
Despite Kenyan having 100, 000 police officers and hitting the 1:450 civilian ratio, citizens still fell they do not get quality service from them.
Out of the 12, 000 officers who provide security to VIPs, 200 area assigned to President Uhuru Kenyatta while Deputy President William Ruto has 45 security guards.
Others who by law should be accorded bodyguards include the Speaker of the National Assembly, MPs, Senators, Governors, Chief Justice, Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya, the Inspector General of Police and his two deputies.