Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang'i, has revealed the high-end properties owned by Deputy President, William Ruto, during a parliamentary committee meeting on Wednesday, September 1.
Matiang'i appeared before the National Assembly departmental committee on Administration and National Security to shed light on the withdrawal of General Service Unit (GSU) officers from the DP’s residence.
The CS noted that the DP's office is accorded the highest number of security drawn from the GSU, APs, and other formations - with a total of 257 officers deployed to guard him and his property.
They are divided into three layers: Layer One, Two, and Three.
Layer One consists of a Presidential Escort Unit that consists of 74 officers, a dedicated team of five General Service Unit (GSU) officers, and six officers drawn from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), all totaling to 85 officers.
Layer Two brings together officers from the Security of Government Buildings (SGB), prisons service officers, others from the Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit. This brings together a total of 121 personnel who operate on a 24-hour basis.
Layer Three is an auxiliary security layer that keeps an eye on Ruto's properties. The CS detailed the composition of the officers deployed to various properties belonging to the DP.
Kitengela Gas Company, Murumbi Farm in Transmara (395 Hectares), ADC Laikipia Mutara Ranch, Dolphine Hotel in Mombasa (3 Hectares), Mata Farm in Taita Taveta (1,026 Hectares) are guarded by six police officers each.
Weston Hotel in Nairobi County, a private residence in Elgon View, Eldoret, Koitalel Poultry Farm in Eldoret, and another private residence in Kosachei in Eldoret are guarded by four police officers each.
Kwale Island Development Limited in Wilson Airport, which consists of two Hangers and five helicopters, is guarded by five police officers.
This brings the total number of officers situated within the third security layer to 51.
CS Matiang'i added that he would not list all the assets of the DP since the meeting was held in the public light and would jeopardize the security matters of the properties.
The withdrawal of GSU officers has been gaining traction in the past week with Ruto allies terming the move as a malicious and vindictive move to settle political scores.
Police spokesperson Bruno Shioso, however, termed the replacement of the officers as normal changes within the service.
