Kilifi, KENYA: Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi’s security officers are said to have been withdrawn by the national government for reasons yet to be established.
The four security officers were allegedly withdrawn early Wednesday morning as he was at his office in Kilifi town.
Two of the officers were guarding his residence and the other two are his personal bodyguards.
Speaking to Baraka FM on phone on Wednesday, Kilifi Director of Communications in the office of the Governor Mapenzi Chivila confirmed the withdrawal of the security officers.
She said the security men were on duty when they were told to leave.
“I want to confirm that four security officers have been withdrawn from the Governor,” Mapenzi said.
“It happened earlier today while they were on duty, but we are still yet to get the reasons behind their withdrawal,” she added.
Efforts to get Kilifi County police Commander Ben Kogo to comment on the issue proved futile.
A move by the national Government to withdraw security officers from the Governor is not new, as sometime last year they were also withdrawn.
During that time Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho’s security officers were also withdrawn.
At the time Kingi accused the national Government of acting against the law and constitution of Kenya that requires him to have state security.
“They (National Government) have withdrawn all my security officers without my consent,” Kingi was quoted telling the public in one of his public Barrazas last year.
“I want to tell Nkaisery (late) that my people of Kilifi will guard me and I don’t worry about that,” he said.
Kilifi North member of Parliament Owen Baya has condemned the move saying it’s against the law.
He said it’s a requirement by the constitution and not a mere privilege to the governor.
“This is totally not fair and it’s worrying because we don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes,” Baya said.
“I hereby condemn the move and urge the government to restore them immediately,” he added.
This comes just a few days after the swearing-in ceremony of the National Super Alliance principal Raila Odinga as the People’s president.
