Interior CS Fred Matiang’i has assured Kenyans that Deputy President William Ruto is not in danger over the change in his security team.
The CS also clarified that DP William Ruto residence in Karen by law is not a State Lodge or a State House.
“.. the law is very clear it is his residence…… we in the security sector work to be right in terms of making decisions and not to being popular but right,” he said.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i also listed businesses and properties owned by Deputy President William Ruto with police security.
While appearing before the National Assembly Security Committee on Wednesday, Matiang’i listed 10 Ruto’s businesses, farms and private residences.
They include:
- Kitengela Gas
- Weston Hotel, Nairobi
- Murumbi Farm – Transmara Narok
- ADC Laikipia Mutara Ranch – 15000 acres
- Dolphine Hotel, Mombasa
- Mata Farm, Taita Taveta – 2537 acres
- Private residence Elgon View
- Koitalel poultry farm Eldoret
- Private Residence in Kosachei Eldoret
- Kwae Island Development Ltd – Wilson Airport (2 hangers and 5 helicopters)
The CS explained that these properties are guarded by security officers provided by the state.
He further said that DP Ruto has 74 presidential escort team, five GSU drivers and six DCI officers in his inner cycle of the security team.
“The law is clear black and blue. There is something that looks politically sensible but when you look at the law they are not. How can you use some of the phrases being used online and so on?”
The law says that it is only the State Lodges and the State House that are supposed to be protected by the GSU
“Give me a law that equates the residence of the Deputy President to State House or a State Lodge. Give it to me now and I will gazette it tomorrow.”
Appearing in Parliament on Wednesday, Matiang’i said the problem with Kenya is that some people suffer from sympathy addiction.
“They look for sympathy over everything. They are always looking for opportunities to lament about this and that to attract sympathies. We in the security sector make decisions after serious considerations knowing we will be held accountable,” he said. Matiang’i lists 10 Ruto properties, number of cops manning them
“The government has sufficient assets and because of the budget, our acquisitions are going up yearly. None of the leaders is in danger and DP is not in danger. I would not like to go through operational issues.”
The CS said he did not want to trivialize the matters of security.
“We are a serious country and government…I will not like to comment about G4S,” he said.
Noting that the lesser he says the better for everyone, Matiang’i said the matter on DP security has been reduced to social media antics.
“If we are not careful we are sinking to new lows. Where in this world will the chief of staff write a letter and put it to social media before sending it to the IG?” he posed.
Earlier, Matiangi dismissed claims of downscaling Ruto’s security.
Matiang’i said Ruto is the most guarded holder of the office since independence.
Matiangi on Wednesday told Parliament’s Committee on Administration and National Security that Ruto has a total of 257 police officers offering security on daily basis. Ruto is the most protected deputy in Kenya’s history — Matiang’i
The Interior CS explained the DP’s security is multi-layered with the inner layer having 121 officers from the elite Presidential Escort team which has remained intact.
The inner layer is responsible for the personal security of the DP on daily basis.
He further said Ruto has over 50 security officers attached to his other properties.
Matiang’i said 51 officers are attached to Ruto’s 10 other properties.
Kitengela Gas has six officers, Weston Hotel has four officers while Murumbi Farm has six officers.
The CS also listed ADC Laikipia Mutara Ranch has six officers, Dolphine Hotel in Mombasa has six, Mata Farm has six and the DP’s private residence in Elgon View Eldoret has four.
