This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
President Uhuru Kenyatta's security detail has taken a significant step to protect the health of its officers and their families. As of Tuesday, July 10, 2020, chewing miraa (khat) has been banned for all police officers and civilian staff working within State House and the presidential escort camps.
The directive, issued by Josephat Kirimi, head of the president's escort team, aims to mitigate the health risks associated with miraa consumption. According to Kirimi, miraa has been linked to various health challenges, and the ban is a necessary measure to safeguard the well-being of officers and their families.
The ban extends to civilian staff residing within State House or any of the presidential escort camps. Officers serving retired President Mwai Kibaki at his Nyeri or Nairobi homes are also affected by this directive.
Additionally, police officers working within State House and state lodges will now work under a new rota system, which includes taking leave after a month. This change is also aimed at reducing the risk of Covid-19 transmission within the security detail.
George Kirera, the in-charge of administration at the president's security team, issued a circular outlining the new directive. Sources within the presidential escort have confirmed that the ban is a security measure taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
