This archive report was first published on 31 August 2021.
August 31, 2021 - Nairobi, Kenya
Deputy President William Ruto's security has been thrown into turmoil after two Kenyans filed a petition at the High Court against the withdrawal of General Service Unit (GSU) officers from his homes.
The petitioners, Miruru Waweru and Angela Mwikali, claim that the DP's security has been compromised following the move, which was described by Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai as 'normal changes.'
The matter has been certified urgent and is set to be heard on September 21 before a Constitutional and Human Rights judge.
GSU officers were replaced by Administration Police officers at the DP's official residence in Karen, Nairobi, and his rural home in Sugoi last week.
DP Ruto's Chief of Staff, Ken Osinde, has written to the IG demanding that the GSU officers be reinstated, even as the DP downplayed the matter.
On Tuesday, Ruto welcomed the newly deployed Administration Police officers at his Karen residence and treated them to a tea party.
He has also dismissed a security Parliamentary Committee investigating the matter, saying it should find something useful to do.
The Committee was set to question Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi on Wednesday.
The change of security has been attributed to a bitter fall-out between Ruto and President Uhuru Kenyatta, which began in March 2018 when the latter shook hands with Opposition leader Raila Odinga.
