Ruto’s security detail at official Karen residence replaced
An officer from GSU G Company opens the gate of DP Ruto’s official residence in Karen on August 26, 2021. The GSU officers are being replaced by those from AP Security of Government Buildings Unit.
The security detail at Deputy President William Ruto’s official residence in Karen has been replaced.
Elite officers from the GSU G Company who have been guarding the residence were on Thursday replaced by Administration Police Security of Government Buildings Unit (AP SGB).
Officers from AP SGB inside DP William Ruto’s official residence in Karen on August 26, 2021.
Officers from AP SGB inside DP William Ruto’s official residence in Karen on August 26, 2021 after taking over from GSU G company.
The APs, who arrived a few minutes to 4pm, were taken round before an official handover.
As a category 1 VIP, the DP is supposed to be protected by officers from the same unit as the president.
Officers from the AP SGB Unit normally guard buildings owned by the government.
An Officer from GSU G Company opens the gate of DP's private residence in Karen on August 26, 2021.
DP reacts
Dr Ruto's later sent a statement reacting to the move, terming it a "political vendetta consistent with a strategy to expose the Deputy President".
According to the letter signed by Daivid Mugonyi from the DP's communications office, Dr Ruto reckons that the "bad faith" runs back to 2017 when a gunman broke into his Sugoi home and staged a siege for hours.
The man, later identified as a trader from Mandera, was shot and killed by police.
The DP's office has also cited a disrupted meeting in Kisii last year among others as instances of bad faith.
IG Police responds
However, a statement from the office of the Inspector General of Police said the change of security detail was normal.
"This is a normal reassignment of duties within the National Police Service to enhance efficiency and effectiveness," it said.
Members of the public stand outside the gate to Deputy President William Ruto's home in Sugoi, Uasin Gishu County after GSU officers were withdrawn and replaced by Administration Police officers on August 26, 2021.
