'It was a small matter, she went too public': Murkomen on withdrawal of CJ Koome's security

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has reassured the public that the recalling of Chief Justice Koome's security detail did not have an ulterior motive but was to enhance their capabilities.

Speaking at the Jacaranda Indian Ocean Beach Resort, the CS noted that Koome did not have to reveal the matter in public as it has raised global concerns about the CJ's safety.

"We had to work out to see how we are going to work together; unfortunately, our Chief Justice went too public about this issue. For clarity, the CJ should have called the IG to thank him for promoting the officers but it has gone the other way," Murkomen stated.

"We want to assure the Chief Justice that it was a small matter to necessitate raising alarm. People all over the world are thinking that there's a scheme to deny the CJ security."

Further, Murkomen revealed that only three officers were recalled for training, leaving the CJ with a total of 29 officers for personal protection and guarding her properties.

"Even after the three officers were sent for training, the CJ was still going to remain with 29 officers; guarding her home, personal security, up to ten drivers among others," he added. 

Murkomen's remarks come after the Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association (KMJA) revealed that Koome's security detail was reinstated after a formal complaint was filed to the Inspector General of Police and the Interior Ministry.

"The detail was eventually recalled under the guise that it was their turn to undergo promotional training (we are aware that the detail deployed to the Chief Justice have been reinstated after a formal complaint was made to various high-level officers)," KMJA said in a statement on Friday.

On Thursday night, CJ Koome wrote a complaint to the police IG and Murkomen; citing that her security had been withdrawn and raising concerns about her safety.