Two Kenyans have moved to court, suing the state over the withdrawal of GSU officers guarding Deputy President William Ruto.
Miruru Waweru and Angela Mwikali said the move is against the law and the Constitution.
The action of the state, they said, will hamper the Deputy President’s performance of his constitutional duties and obligations to the detriment of the Kenyan public.
They want an order compelling return of GSU officers with immediate effect.
Following the decision by authorities to replace some guards attached to Ruto’s security team, there has been debate on whether he is safe or not.
The Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai said the security of the DP is stable and that he has faith in it despite protests from Ruto and his allies.
The IG termed it “normal” to reorganise the team by replacing some members of the General Service Unit’s G-Company with those from Security of Government Building, who are equally trained to guard critical infrastructure and provide security to VIPs.
“This is a normal re-assignment of duties within the National Police Service to enhance efficiency and effectiveness,” he said. He added the Presidential Escort Unit (PEU) of GSU will continue to provide close protection security to the DP.
The announcement that the PEU will continue to guard the DP makes him the second-most guarded man in the country, only second to President Uhuru Kenyatta.
He currently enjoys the security of about 50 personnel drawn from various units. Apart from the GSU, he has at his disposal the Administration Police Service (APS) and Kenya Prisons Service, who also double as his drivers.
