State to reduce number of bodyguards for VIPs

Part of Governor James Ongwae's security detail during a function in Kisii County. The Government plans to reduce the number of police officers assigned to guard governors. [Photo: Denish Ochieng/ Standard]

One out of every seven police officers are deployed to guard the elite, leaving only about 70,000 to meet all the country’s policing needs.

Some top State officials each have up to a dozen bodyguards, stretching the capacity of the country’s 80,000-strong police force.