Raila, Kalonzo won't be spared in plans to trim VIPs security

Cabinet Secretary Ministry of interior and coordination of national government Joseph Nkaissery briefs the press on some political leaders making utterances that border on incitement and libelous speech at his offices in Harrambe house. (PHOTO/DAVID GICHURU/STANDARD)

The government has announced it will

 reduce VIP bodyguards as protest mounted over the cut-back on security for Coast Opposition leaders.

Speaking yesterday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaiserry said not even CORD principals Raila odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka will be spared.

Nkaiserry also criticised Mombasa Governor Hassan Ali Joho for allegedly seeking public sympathy when he was asked to surrender his guns.

He said many political leaders, including those who had retired, had allocated themselves more than the required security detail.

He said more than 11,000 officers were currently deployed to guard VIPs. An audit report, he announced, was underway to find out how and why they were allocated such privileges.

“It is unfortunate that the withdrawal happened just after the Malindi by-election but nevertheless, that is where we had to start. No leader will be spared including former politicians whether Vice Presidents or the Prime Minister,” said Nkaissery in his office.

Nkaissery said security should be allocated to leaders according to the law which states that governors should have five security officers; three for their residences and two for their mobility.

“Joho might have been allocated more guards as at that time Mombasa was a terror hot spot. But now we are enjoying a fairly calm environment so these officers have to be retrieved to protect the public,” he explained.

He added that the order by the Chief Licensing Officer to have Joho’s firearm license revoked followed his refusal to surrender the weapon. “....you cannot challenge the government no matter who you are. Holding a firearm is only a privilege because the government has already offered you security personnel. Let him seek sympathy from the public but at the end of the day he just has to follow the law,” said Nkaissery.

The CS argued that the firearm license revocation is for Joho’s own good. “You have seen the way he gets angry in the public which can put many at risk.”

The Chief Licensing Officer of firearms Samuel Kimaru has already written to Joho over the matter. A section of the letter posted on Joho’s Facebook page on Friday read, “Kimaru declares that Joho is unfit to hold firearms and revokes a firearms certificate Number 4773.”

The letter shows the certificate was issued on June 18, 2008 and revoked on Thursday for “reasons that you are unfit to be entrusted with a firearm anymore.”

And interestingly, though Joho had earlier stated that he had held a licensed firearm for 20 years, the letter by Kimaru suggests that the governor holds three weapons — a rifle and pistols. And a number of politicians from the opposition have already had their security withdrawn.

The ODM MPs are Mishi Mboko, Aisha Juma and Irshad Sumra.

“No comment at the moment,” said Nkaissery when asked to confirm the reports. “However we are investigating them and if anything improper is found necessary action will be taken.”

However, speaking to The Standard on Sunday, Mr Sumra confirmed withdrawal of the security: “For the last three days I have not seen my security. When I call them they just say they are coming but they never show up.”

He added: “I do not know of Ms Mboko but also Ms Juma has not seen her security since Wednesday.”

The MPs are allegedly being punished for criticising Jubilee over voter bribery and rigging in the just concluded Malindi by election.

During the election Jubilee MP for Kabete Ferdinand Waititu and his Mwea counterpart Peter Njuguna were arrested for purportedly trying to bribe voters.

Nkaissery said Mr Waititu was a security menace claiming that he has arrogated himself the status of a rogue MP over land issues in his constituency by issuing inflammatory remarks that can trigger violence.

This is despite inviting the aggrieved parties to resolve the matter: “...and I am warning him if he has a gun he better surrender it by Monday or else it will not be good for him. He may even end up shooting me considering his reckless talk.”