Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has sharply criticized the handling of President William Ruto’s security following the recent breach during a public event in Ganze.
Speaking publicly after the incident, Gachagua warned that the President’s protection had been handled recklessly.
“You cannot be careless about the management and the stability of the Kenyan nation. You cannot take your security recklessly and in a careless manner,” stated Gachagua.
He further cautioned that any harm to the President could destabilize the country.
“Because if anything happened to you, there will be chaos in this country.”
Gachagua claimed the President’s security detail had become ineffective and demoralized, alleging that some officers failed to respond quickly enough during the Kilifi incident.
“The president is totally exposed. He has no security around him, he is surrounded by jokers.”
According to Gachagua, officers only realized the President had allegedly been approached by a possible assailant moments after the incident had already unfolded.
Claims of Ethnic Favoritism in Presidential Escort Unit
The former deputy president accused senior security officials of turning the Presidential Escort Unit into an ethnically dominated outfit.
He alleged that officers from communities outside the President’s ethnic background had been sidelined from active assignments.
“Nearly all officers are from one community where the president comes from. All other officers from other communities are very demoralized.”
Gachagua claimed that officers from other communities were rarely deployed for presidential escort duties despite such assignments carrying additional benefits and allowances.
He argued that this had created complacency among some officers.
Allegations of Corruption and Unpaid Allowances
Gachagua also made allegations of corruption within the Presidential Escort Unit, claiming some officers had complained about withheld allowances.
“When they travel, their allowances, the DIG, Mukomen, and the immediate escort commander demand half the allowances of these officers.”
He further alleged that some officers had gone for four months without payment.
“Even after half of the allowances have been taken, for four months they have not received the allowances.”
According to him, the frustrations had severely affected morale within the unit.
“They are a very demoralized lot. They really don’t care.”
Earlier, Inspector General Douglas Kanja announced immediate changes within the Presidential Escort Unit and confirmed that a special investigations team had been formed to probe the Kilifi security breach.
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