Has former President Uhuru’s security been withdrawn? - What we know so far

Unconfirmed reports are indicating that some changes have been effected around the security team attached to former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Sources have confirmed to Citizen Digital that the numbers of security personnel have been rationalized with some of the General Service Unit officers attached to the former president being recalled for redeployment.

The changes are also said to have included the scaling down or withdrawal of security personnel attached to some members of the former first family.

Official circles remained cagey Thursday evening as speculation mounted over the status of the security deployment around former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The sources said that some changes had been effected on the number of officers guarding the homes of members of the family of retired President Kenyatta and that the numbers had been scaled down. Some of the officers were reportedly directed to report to the GSU headquarters for re-deployment.

The orders reportedly effected Thursday morning required GSU officers and some of the presidential escort unit members to leave their stations and report to the headquarters.

The directive affects close and extended family members of the fourth president, most of whom have enjoyed the privilege for decades.

Though details remain scanty on the status of the security guarding the former president and whether this has been scaled down, sources say some officers had been asked to report back to the headquarters.

According to the Presidential Benefits Act, a retired president will continue to enjoy VIP security with six security guards, however, this will be certified by the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration.

Also, the retired president’s urban and rural homes will be guarded by a maximum of six security guards; this too to be approved by the Interior Cabinet Secretary.

Though the Act entitles the former president to a maximum of six guards, former President Kenyatta is said to have been assigned 119 officers; information which Citizen TV could not independently ascertain.

The reported changes in the VIP protection evoke memories of August 26, 2021, when General Service Unit officers guarding then Deputy President William Ruto's official residence in Karen were withdrawn and replaced by Administration Police officers.

Speculation has further been fueled by the time of the reported changes as the action comes hot on the heels of public differences between former President Uhuru Kenyatta and his successor President William Ruto.

Efforts to reach police authorities for confirmation of the changes proved futile with sources indicating that the matter has been left solely in the hands of Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome.