Ruto downplays security changes as Kalonzo tells him ‘he’ll get used to it’

Deputy President William Ruto with Senator Susan Kihika (Nakuru) and Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Nakuru. [DPPS]

Deputy President William Ruto has said he is comfortable with any security detail assigned to man his residence.

Speaking after attending service at St Augustine Catholic Church in Bahati, Nakuru County, yesterday, Dr Ruto said he has other important issues to deal with.

“It is okay that the General Service Unit (GSU) was withdrawn. Even if the Administration Police (AP) deployed are withdrawn, I will take the G4S security,” he said.

The DP said this even as Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei plans to submit a letter to Speaker Ken Lusaka to petition the Senate to form a special sitting to discuss the change of the DP’s security detail.

Mr Cherargei yesterday said the replacement of the elite GSU officers guarding the DP’s residences with APs went against the Constitution.

He said he wants Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho, Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai, the GSU commandant and head of the Presidential Escort summoned to explain the reason for the sudden change.

“This is an issue of national importance, and I hope the speaker will convene a special sitting. National security organs are subject to the oversight of Parliament,” said Mr Cherargei.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei. [David Njaaga, Standard]

Ruto insisted that he will not resign, adding that it would be a cowardly act and betrayal to the millions of people who voted for him in the 2013 and 2017 elections. 

“I knew that leadership comes with many challenges. Resigning will be running away from my challenges. It will be a shame if I walk away from my responsibilities. If I cannot face my little problems, how will I be able to solve the problems of the people?” he posed.

The DP said he will leave the government when his term ends, adding that he has still not fulfilled all the promises made.

"We owe electricity to people in Nakuru and other counties. We still have the agenda in our manifesto to fulfill before I leave office,” he said.

Ruto assured residents that the promises made by him and President Kenyatta at Afraha Stadium will be fulfilled.

He said the government is committed to ensuring the people of the Rift Valley will not be divided along tribal lines ahead of the 2022 election. “We united with the president to make sure there are no divisions,” he said.

Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika warned that the President will be held accountable if anything happens to his deputy. “What is the government planning against Ruto? Why are there no questions being asked on people who have threatened him?” wondered Kihika.

Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika. [Boniface Okendo,Standard]

She condemned Inspector General of Police Mutyambai for allegedly being sucked into political issues. “We demand that Mutyambai resigns. You are a joke and playing with fire,” she said.

Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri noted that Ruto must be respected as the deputy president, just the same way Uhuru is respected as the president. 

Meanwhile, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has told the DP to get used to changes to his security detail.

Speaking at Redeemed Gospel Church in Pipeline, Embakasi South Constituency, Nairobi, yesterday, Kalonzo recounted how his security detail was once withdrawn and advised the DP to take the new development in stride.

“We have gone through such things. My security was also withdrawn and I am still alive,” the Wiper leader said.

[Daniel Chege, Julius Chepkwony, Stephen Rutto and Judah Ben-Hur]