A leaked document has revealed that Deputy Inspector-General in charge of the Kenya Police, Joel Kitili, recalled bodyguards assigned to NASA leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka.
The withdrawal of the security detail was prompted by "severe personnel constraints currently facing the service arising from growing demand to respond to a number of security challenges."
The document shows the National Police Service also recalled all officers who were assigned to guard former members of the National Assembly and the Senate.
The leaked document, dated September 25, also instructed the commanders to recall officers assigned to guard former Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi.
“The three former holders of the defunct offices will retain only one officer as bodyguard and officer to guard only one designated residence at night,” says the circular, signed by Mr Benson Kibui on behalf of Mr Kitili.
"Withdrawal of my security and that of Raila is illegal, the law requires presidential candidates an all-around security protection," Kalonzo Musyoka stated.
On Monday, Raila's Spokesman Dennis Onyango revealed five bodyguards attached to the former Prime Minister were asked to report to GSU headquarters in Nairobi for further instructions.
ODM's Director of Communication Philip Etale condemned the move revealing the guards have been deployed to North Eastern Kenya.
Mr Kitili had earlier refuted the claims stating that he was not aware of the move to strip the opposition leaders of their security detail.
Interestingly, Acting Interior CS Fred Matiang'i on Wednesday stated that Odinga's security detail was withdrawn because he "pushed the government to the wall".
The CS stated that the government had noted with great concern attempts by the opposition leader to cause chaos in the country adding that they were not willing to take it anymore.
"We cannot tolerate that anymore. They have pushed us to the wall and we are saying enough is enough," he stated in Kajiado town after meeting top security officers from Rift Valley, including police chiefs from Narok and Kajiado counties.
Addressing questions as to whether the security details of the National Super Alliance (NASA) leaders would be reinstated, Matiang'i explained that "the government cannot waste its resources in providing security to people bent on malice and out to destabilise the same system that takes care of them".
He submitted that the government had not broken any law in withdrawing the bodyguards of Raila and his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka adding that the government will not play games with politicians who divide Kenyans, hence, polarising the country.
