This archive report was first published on 29 August 2021.
Deputy President William Ruto has laughed off the change of security at his residence, saying he has no problem with the deployment of G4S guards. He made the remarks on Sunday at a church in Nakuru, where he attended a service with other leaders.
According to Ruto, the state's decision to withdraw General Service Unit (GSU) officers from his Nairobi and Sugoi rural home does not bother him because he is 'busy with my 2022 transformational agenda.'
He warned against politicizing the issue, saying 'Kenya has enough problems and challenges that need solutions than my security.'
GSU officers were replaced with Administration Police officers at Ruto's residences last week, in a move defended by the Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai who said he still retains close protection from the GSU.
While Ruto's Chief of Staff Ken Osinde and Spokesman David Mugonyi have protested the move and demanded GSU reinstatement, their boss spoke out against the politicization of the issue.
'If they found some more pressing duties for the GSU for Kenyans and decided to replace them with APs, I have no problem and if they also find something for the APs to do in securing Kenyans, I will have no problem if they are taken away and replaced by G4S,' he said.
However, he noted that the changes should be done carefully to avoid possible divisions in the country's security apparatus.
Published on August 29, 2021, at 7:14 PM EAT.
