President Uhuru Kenyatta, through State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu, on Sunday explained that the withdrawal of the security teams of Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and his Kilifi counterpart Amason Kingi was part of the local security’s command to restructure security in the area.
Speaking while addressing the press at State House, Mombasa, Mr Esipisu denied any political motive in the withdrawal of the bodyguards stating, “Reorganizations happen across the country all the time. Local commands make local decisions and we should not jump to conclusions”.
The State House spokesman noted that the regional command structures around Mombasa are reorganizing their deployment of people and resources adding that it was the responsibility of the command to answer any questions regarding the reorganization.
The security details of Joho and Kingi, who are allied to the CORD coalition, were reportedly withdrawn on Friday night – a day after the two dressed down President Uhuru Kenyatta for supposedly neglecting the coast region.
The withdrawal of the two governors' security was interestingly followed by a memo from Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett warning officers against using chase cars in escorting and clearing roads for county government officials.
However, in a strongly-worded statement, ODM demanded the immediate reinstatement of the governors’ security detail, saying the government was “in the habit of intimidating Governor Joho whenever he differs with it”.
“This withdrawal of Mr Joho’s security, while illegal, has become an annual event during the Jubilee regime. Every December, President Uhuru Kenyatta comes to the Coast on holiday and tries to promote his party and his regime by undermining the work and the standing of the governor and other leaders allied to ODM.
“Being a firm believer in ODM, Governor Joho naturally fights back by stating facts as best as he understands them. The Head of State gets angry and the illegal security withdrawal follows,” the Orange party said in a statement signed by Director of Elections Junet Mohamed.
In response to withdrawal of his bodyguards, Governor Kingi said the removal of his security would not make him change his political stand.
