Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has defended the government’s alleged decision to withdraw former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi’s security personnel.
In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, Murkomen clarified that Muturi’s security personnel could have been scaled down since he was no longer a member of President William Ruto’s cabinet.
However, the interior minister stated that he would seek clarification from the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, regarding the issue since such matters were within the latter's jurisdiction.
While addressing the matter, Murkomen dismissed allegations that the withdrawal of the former Attorney General’s security was linked to the latter’s strong criticism of the government.
“It could be a scale down since he's no longer a CS. I'll seek clarification from the IG. We don't play politics in security matters. It's a matter for IG level unless he's escalating it to reach my level,” Murkomen said.
Murkomen's sentiments followed hours after Muturi accused the government of endangering his life by allegedly withdrawing his security without notifying him.
Muturi, while addressing the press on Tuesday morning, claimed that the move to withdraw his security was an attempt by the current regime to intimidate him due to his strong political stance.
According to him, he learnt of the withdrawal of the personnel yesterday evening, but when he contacted the relevant authorities about the issue, he was informed that the officers had been withdrawn because of his criticism of the government.
“The reaction from the government has been the immediate withdrawal of my security, which happened last evening. My security personnel were instructed not to report to duty because I am fighting the government,” Muturi claimed.
"I said it is okay because there are very many Kenyans without government security, and therefore, it is not something that should worry somebody,” he added.
However, the former CS maintained that he would not be intimidated and that he would continue keeping the government accountable despite the controversial decision.
Muturi was fired from the cabinet two weeks ago and replaced by Mbeere North Member of Parliament Geoffrey Ruku, whose appointment awaits the approval of the National Assembly following Ruto's nomination.
While defending his decision to sack Muturi, the head of state said the former Public Service CS was dismissed because he absconded duty without a permit.
