Cherargei wants Mutyambai, Matiang’i summoned over DP security

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has said he will send a letter to Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka asking him to convene a special sitting on the issue of National security.

This comes days after the General Service Unit (GSU) officers guarding Deputy President William Ruto's official residence in Karen were withdrawn and replaced by Administration Police officers.

Speaking in Nandi County on Sunday, August 29, Cherargei wants the senate to summon, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai, Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, Head of GSU Commandant Douglas Kanji and Head of Presidential Escort Unit to shed more light on why they downgraded Ruto’s security.

“Article 238P states the national security must be accountable to Parliament and therefore as per the standing orders of the senate and having the necessary quorum, I will be writing to the speaker tomorrow morning (Monday, August 30) to summon relevant heads of agencies,” Cherargei said.

In addition, he demands to know why the DP’s security was withdrawn adding that was a way of exposing him to personal harm.

“In 2017, his (Deputy President William Ruto) Sugoi home was attacked and no one has disclosed to us how far the investigations have gone,” he added.

On Thursday, August 26 Administration Police officers arrived at the DP's Karen residence in two vans and had a meeting with their GSU counterparts before heading to Ruto's home.

According to the Communications Director at the Office of the Deputy President, Emmanuel Tallam, a senior police inspector in charge of security at the DP’s Karen residence was called and directed to inform the security personnel that they’d be leaving the facility by 2 pm on Thursday, August 26.

“They (police personnel) are, however, yet to leave as they haven’t handed over to a new team,” Tallam to The Standard reporter at 2 pm.

Police spokesperson Bruno Shioso told The Standard he had no comment regarding the reports about the redeployment of GSU officers guarding the DP.

A high-ranking officer, who spoke to The Standard in confidence, said the planned redeployment is a normal operation in the police service and it should therefore not raise any eyebrows.