Outcry grows over withdrawal of security for Naivasha, Kipipiri MPs

Naivasha MP Jane Kihara has protested the withdrawal of her security detail. [File, Standard]

Naivasha residents are reading mischief in the move by the government to withdraw the security personnel for area MP Jane Kihara and her Kipipiri counterpart Wanjiku Muhia.

Through their leaders, the residents have pointed an accusing finger at President William Ruto for waging a war against the people who stood and campaigned for him in the last general election.

The move comes a day after security details for the two parliamentarians who are allies of former DP Rigathi Gachagua were withdrawn in unclear circumstances.

The move comes in the wake of an increase in insecurity cases where an MP, two Catholic priests and several traders have been brutally murdered in different parts of the country.

Former Nakuru Woman Representative Eunice Mureithi termed the move unfair to women in the country at a time when there was rising insecurity.

She attributed the withdrawal of security to the MPs support for Gachagua, saying that this was their democratic right.

“We are all living in fear due to the rising insecurity in the country and we are calling for the immediate return of the MPs’ security as it’s their constitutional right,” she said.

This was echoed by former Lakeview MCA Simon Wanyoike Wanango who said that the recent killings of an MP and two priests had sent shock waves across the country.

Wanango said that residents fully back their MPs' stand to support the former DP as the current government had failed to keep its promises.

“This is part of government plans to oppress those supporting the former DP and we are demanding that the security detail for the two MPs be reinstated with immediate effect,” he said.

A local leader, Joseph Kimani declared that intimidation of the MPs would not stop them from condemning the government’s shortcomings.

Another leader David Njuguna said that the government had failed to deliver campaign promises and has not resorted to intimidating critics.

“We are asking the CS for Interior Kipchumba Murkomen to reinstate the MPs security as we not only fear for their lives but that for the whole country,” said Loise Njeri.