Murkomen tells Muturi to write to IG Kanja over withdrawal of his security
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen
Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen said Tuesday he is yet to receive a formal complaint from former public service colleague Justin Muturi on his security detail status.
Muturi said his security had been withdrawn without an explanation yet he is entitled as per the law.
Murkomen refuted claims that the alleged withdrawal of security could be political.
According to Murkomen, the matter should be addressed by the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja if it was done procedurally.
He also explained that the scale-down of officers is routine matter in the security sector, especially with regards to officers guarding former public office holders.
“That is a simple and small matter that should be handled by the IG. If it’s escalated to me, I will address it as per the law,” said the CS, when responding to inquiries.
“We scale down security assigned to public officers once they vacate office. It’s normal and it applies to all, even me, if I leave office it.”
He said officers act as per the law and not influenced by political situations.
“Security officers operate within the law and are not incidenced by politics,” said the CS.
Muturi said the two officers attached to him were ordered not to report to work on Tuesday April 8.
He now remains without an armed security.
Muturi is a former Speaker of the National Assembly.
He was on March 26 sacked as CS for public service in a fallout with president William Ruto.
He said no explanation had been given to him over the move to withdraw the security.
“My security detail was withdrawn last night (Monday) at around 7:30PM. Two police officers who were attached to me by virtue of my position as former Speaker of the National Assembly were told not to report on duty today. If this is another attempt to intimidate me, they have dialed yet another wrong number,” he said.
He said under the Retirement Benefits Act allows former Speaker to have security.
“They were told not to come to work on the basis that I am fighting the government. I said it’s okay there are many Kenyans without government security. But I am entitled to security,” he said.