By National Police Service
The Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome has assured the public that “the Country is safe and secure“.
He was addressing members of the Press at the Moi International Airport in Mombasa on his return flight to Nairobi after attending the National Assembly Post-Election Seminar Retreat in Mombasa.
During the press briefing, the IG assured the public that the Country is safe except for isolated incidences of insecurity, particularly in areas with historical boundary disputes associated with contention over natural resources.
In response to media reports that security attached to former President Uhuru Kenyatta had been withdrawn, he assured that the respect for, and security of former Heads of State is not only paramount to National Police Service but the Service is committed to ensuring that all Kenyans are safe.
The IG who is constitutionally empowered with independent powers on police command and control confirmed the recent downscaling and redeployment of the Security detail for the former President as normal administrative steps aimed at streamlining the command of the Presidential Escort Unit.
Accordingly, the IG clarified that the Commandant of the Presidential Escort Unit (PEU) – the Police Formation tasked with the security of both incumbent and retired Presidents is usually an officer with the rank of an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) while the Heads of Security details for the retired Presidents are usually officers of the rank of Superintendent of Police.
In order to ensure proper command and control of PEU, the redeployment of the AIG who had been heading the security detail of the former President was necessary considering that he reports to the PEU Commander who is also an AIG.
