Fury as Raila, ex-VP guards withdrawn

PHOTO | MACHARIA MWANGI Cord leader Raila Odinga arrives for the alliance’s retreat at the Great Rift Valley Lodge in Naivasha on April 14, 2013. Cord members have expressed outrage over the withdrawal of about 100 armed guards previously assigned to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka.  NATION MEDIA GROUP

By NATION REPORTER AND NATION CORRESPONDENT
Posted  Monday, April 15  2013 at  23:30

The government has withdrawn about 100 armed guards previously assigned to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka.

The order followed last week’s notice from the government instructing the officers to report to their stations and that all government cars previously assigned to the two leaders be withdrawn.

On Monday, Cord senators and MPs meeting in Naivasha raised concerns over the withdrawal of the two leaders’ security and demanded an explanation, terming it an attempt to humiliate the two.

Cord National Coordinating Committee chairman Dalmas Otieno said the coalition was surprised that the withdrawals were made despite a previous commitment to have the two allowed to retain at least 12 bodyguards each.

Rescind decision

“The Cord parliamentary group therefore demands that the government rescinds the decision to withdraw the security of the two Cord principals with immediate effect,” Mr Otieno said.

A senior police officer, who did not want to be named, said the security detail of the former VP and PM had not been withdrawn but reduced.

At Monday’s meeting, Mr Odinga and Mr Musyoka were reprimanded by Cord MPs over their State House visit, with some senators accusing them of acting without consultations.

“There was a feeling among members that they needed to consult before making such a move which has now become a PR bonus for Mr Kenyatta and his government,” said one of the MPs at the meeting.