Raila now relies on private guards for his security

Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i (left) address journalists at Kajiado, shortly after he had a meeting with the County Security Committee on 27th September 2017. The Minister ordered the arrest of two more MPs for allegedly inciting the public. He is with the Inspector General of police Joseph Boinnet and Kajiado County Commissioner Harsama Kellow. [photo:PETERSON GITHAIGA]

Two National Super Alliance principals will not get back their security detail, Acting Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i has said.

He added that the Government would not assign police officers to politicians who use them to break the law and that it would not be intimidated by calls for mass action by the Opposition to protest at the withdrawal of the security detail.

Matiang'i was speaking in Kajiado on Wednesday shortly after meeting the county security committee members.

He was accompanied by Inspector General (IG) of Police Joseph Boinnet and Rift Valley Regional Coordinator Wanyama Musyambo.

He said it was the IG's duty to deploy officers where they are needed.

"Why do we assign you a contingent of more than 20 armed police officers so that you can use them to intimidate the same government that has deployed them to you?" asked Matiang'i.

The CS dared the Opposition to call mass demonstration over the withdrawal of its leaders' security, warning that they would be dealt with if they break the law.

"I'm told they are saying that if we don’t return their security detail they will call for mass action. Let them go ahead and do it and we will make them know we have a government in place,’’ warned Matiang’i.

The law requires both Raila and Kalonzo to be provided with State security because of their past positions as prime minister and vice president respectively.

And given that Raila and Kalonzo are presidential candidate and running mate respectively, they need State security.

At his Bondo home, Raila has engaged a private security firm, two days after the Government withdrew all four police guards.

Raila's entire security detail has been withdrawn, contrary to claims by police it had been scaled down.

Kalonzo Musyoka's security was scaled down by four bodyguards.

[Story by Cyrus Ombati, Geoffrey Mosoku, Peterson Githaiga and Isaiah Gwengi]