NAIROBI, Kenya — Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has defended recent decisions by the National Police Service to withdraw bodyguards from certain VIPs, saying the move is based on credible intelligence linking some officers to criminal activity.
Speaking on Wednesday, Murkomen said the police have a duty to prevent potential security breaches, especially where officers assigned to protect high-profile individuals are suspected of collaborating with criminal groups.
“Any security measure taken by the National Police Service is to avoid crises,” he said. “If a police officer attached to a VIP is walking and working with goons, the best thing is to remove them.”
Murkomen noted that the action was not political, emphasising that security details had been withdrawn from leaders across the political spectrum, including Governor George Natembeya.
“I am aware that a number of VIPs, not just Natembeya, from both sides of the political divide, have had their security withdrawn because the police have a report that their officers attached to them are involved in criminal activities,” he added.
The remarks come amid growing debate over police neutrality and the criteria used to assign, or withdraw, VIP protection.
The controversy has sparked calls from civil society for more transparency in the management of VIP security, arguing that the public deserves assurance that such actions are not influenced by political considerations.
However, security experts note that the police must balance transparency with the need to protect ongoing investigations.
Murkomen maintained that the priority remains safeguarding national security and ensuring that police officers entrusted with VIP protection uphold the highest standards of integrity.
Today, my security detail was withdrawn without any notice or lawful justification. This action violates the National Police Service Act, Sections 30 and 31, which obligate the Inspector-General to provide security to State officers whose roles and public engagements expose them
