Inside DP William Ruto’s security detail

A GSU officer (in red beret) is seen walking with AP officers at Deputy President William Ruto’s Karen residence. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]

A report submitted by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i to the National Security and Administration Committee reveals that Deputy President William Ruto has 257 officers attached to him.

This is the biggest security detail the holder of the deputy/vice president’s office has had in the history of Kenya's Number Twos. Ruto is Kenya’s first DP under the 2010 Constitution.

Who is in Ruto’s security detail?

A breakdown of officers assigned to the DP shows that he has 257 officers from 2013 (when he assumed office) to date. The team is led by the Commissioner of Police.

His security is a three-layered structure explained as follows;

One hundred and twenty-one (121) officers are from the Administration Police and Prisons Service, all who are providing security at the DP’s various residences.

Seventy-four (74) Presidential Escort personnel protecting him throughout. Six officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and five officers from the General Service Unit (GSU) are also deployed.

He also has 52 Auxiliary security guarding various properties.

Illustration showing Deputy president’s security layers. [National Security Committee]

Further, there are six officers stationed at his Kitengela Gas property, four at his Weston Hotel, six at his 395- Murumbi acre farm, six at his ADC Laikipia Mutara Ranch.

Four are also stationed at his Elgon View private residence in Eldoret, four others guarding his Koitalel Poultry farm and six at his three Dolphine hectare Hotel in Mombasa.

Previous holders of the office equivalent to the DP had not more than 60 officers attached.

During their tenure as Vice Presidents, Daniel arap Moi and Mwai Kibaki had 34 and 26 officers respectively.

Former VPs George Saitoti, Musalia Mudavadi, Kijana Wamalwa and Moody Awori had 30, 22, 22 and 22 officers respectively.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga had 57 officers attached to him.

“The bearer of the office of the Vice President was automatically appointed as the Minister in charge of Home Affairs. Therefore, the security of the VP was provided by officers from the Prisons Service and General Duty Officers from various police stations depending on the number of residences the office bearer had. However, the escort duties were provided by officers from the Presidential Escort Unit,” Matiang’i said.

The Interior CS, who is appearing before the Security Committee to answer to questions as regards removal of the DP’s security said that there are about 4,000 security personnel who are tasked with protecting VIP and VVIPs.

President Kenyatta and DP Ruto are protected by a special unit- the Presidential Escort Unit (PEU).

“In securing the deputy president, the National Police Service and its senior leadership are guided by the Service Standing Orders and emergent security considerations, and have frequently deployed additional GSU and PEU personnel on need basis,” the CS added.

Ruto’s security was last week Thursday, August 26, withdrawn and replaced by Administration Police officers.

But Matiang’i defended the move saying it was normal routine changes and no malice to it.

“There was no removal of the security personal of the DP, it was a rearrangement. The Inspector General consulted within the structures of security sector before making the changes, it was not a matter of win-score,” he said.