Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery on Thursday has responded to claims that National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga was not adequately protected and had been denied security by the Inspector General of Police, Joseph Boinnet.
Speaking on the sidelines of a prayer service held in remembrance of 17 Administration Police servicemen killed in recent Al Shabaab attacks, CS Nkaissery stated that all presidential candidates would be accorded sufficient security during their campaigns.
Nkaissery, however, did not disclose the measures they had forwarded to the Opposition Chief and other Presidential candidates ahead of the August 8 polls.
Odinga had in a letter dated 23rd May 2017 and addressed to Boinnet, requested that his bodyguards be increased from 16 to 50 and also asked the government to provide him with 11 new cars.
In his reply, however, Boinnet noted that Odinga already had adequate security, and mentioned that he did not see the need for more.
The IG directed the Opposition Leader to refer to the Retirement Benefits (Deputy President and Designated State Officers) Act, No 8 of 2015 which states the seven benefits that the former PM and his running mate are entitled to. They include three vehicles each, two saloon cars of an engine capacity not exceeding 2,000cc and one four-wheel-drive vehicle of an engine capacity not exceeding 3,000cc, all of which will be replaceable every four years.
Through his Spokesman Dennis Onyango, the National Super Alliance flagbearer argued that his security detail needed to be strengthened as the current team guarding him was 'under strength'.
Read More: Raila Demands 50 Bodyguards
In his request, Raila stated that he needed one officer in the rank of Superintendent, one Chief Inspector, two Inspectors, two Sergeants, four Corporals, and 24 Police Constables.
He had also asked for one Mercedes-Benz, four four-wheel-drive vehicles, and six saloon cars.
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