Ruto, too, uses State security to tame rivals

Police officers arrest a man during Azimio la Umoja's anti-government protests in Mathare, Nairobi on July 19, 2023. [Collins Kweyu, Standard]

As Deputy President, William Ruto found himself stripped of some of his security detail in August, 2021, at the height of a feud with his then-boss President Uhuru Kenyatta.

After their fallout, Ruto fell victim to the decades-old state tactic aimed at ensuring that 'errant' politicians and out-of-favour public servants toed the line. General Service Unit (GSU) officers guarding DP Ruto's official residences were withdrawn and replaced with Administration Police officers.