VIPs enjoy high security at public expense

By Cyrus Ombati

KENYA: President Kibaki remains the most guarded VIP with a 200-member force taking care of him.

The Head of State has a Presidential Escort Unit with a commandant of the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police. The unit is always there for the President and his close family members.

The President’s security detail is supplemented by another standby unit wherever he visits, complete with air evacuation, and armoured protection.

Curiously added into the President’s motorcade recently is a police ambulance, which has been trailing him whenever he moves.

And with the continued terror threats and attacks in the country, Kibaki’s security and other VIPs has been enhanced with police revealing they receive threats on a daily basis hence need to tighten it.

The President’s elite squad – mainly from GSU –also guards his family and other presidential installations.

But whenever the Head of State moves, the local PPOs have to ensure he is well guarded.

When he stops to address the public, about 200 plain clothes and uniformed officers are deployed. This is done through co-ordination of police commanders on the ground and his escort unit.

Pooling together security officers within the various units in that particular province to supplement the President’s advance party alongside those that are in his entourage attains this target.

Officials say the officers from the Prescot, as it is known within the security circles, are also used to escort and protect foreign VIPs when they visit the country.

“Whenever we have foreign presidents and other VIPs around, the officers are usually deployed to take care of them. They are taken to be elite members of the police,” said an insider aware of the arrangements.

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, like Prime Minister Raila Odinga, have now about 60 officers seconded to their security units.

The three are among the top VIPs who have the biggest number of personnel seconded to them all the time.

Risk assessment

The rest of the ministers are entitled to at least two armed guards at their homes at any time, and another two while travelling.

But depending on the risk assessment levels determined by security chiefs, some ministers could have more security detail.

At least three ministers are known to have up to 10-armed police officers in chase cars at any given time.

They include Deputy Prime Ministers Uhuru Kenyatta and Musalia Mudavadi and Internal Security minister Katoo ole Metito.

The guards usually give round-the-clock protection to the VIP’s spouses and children. Some are also stationed in their offices and homes.

Police sources reveal 2,500 police officers – out of the national tally of 40,000, some of whom, are in traffic department, guard ministers, MPs, politicians, and top Government officials. Insiders said about 1,600 officers from the 30,000-member Administration Police complement them.

The GSU’s contribution to VIP protection stands at 600.

However, each member of the bloated 42-member Cabinet is entitled to at least nine police officers.

Field commanders are instructed to ensure Raila and Kalonzo’s security is bolstered whenever they visit their jurisdictions.

According to official policy, each of the 222 MPs is entitled to an armed guard.

But Cabinet ministers enjoy the services of additional police guards, who are posted to their urban and rural homes.

Retired public servants

Some Permanent Secretaries and heads of parastatals are also accorded up to three police bodyguards. The Chief Justice, Central Bank Governor, National Assembly Speaker, Commissioner of Police, and Chief of Defence Forces are also in the league of the heavily protected public officers.

They each have a chase car, at least five guards, and another division protecting their spouses and children. Unspecified number of influential personalities, former Cabinet ministers, and retired public servants also have police guards. This is because of risks posed by decisions they made, and information they have by virtue of office.

The team on police reforms headed by Kenya Airways CEO Titus Naikuni proposed that officers should be released to undertake their core responsibilities to avoid situations where many policemen are underutilised by being deployed to work for a few VIPs at the expense of millions of Kenyans.

 Senior police officers, however, claim some politicians and well-connected businessmen at times exploit their connections in Government to be assigned police protection.

“There is nothing you can do sometimes because these people use their Government connections. They intimidate our bosses to get more security,” said a senior police officer on condition of anonymity.

 Police also guard Government buildings and foreign missions, which keep straining deployments to other crucial assignments.

Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said it is their duty to ensure safety of lives and property of Kenyans.

 “Police have a duty to protect all Kenyans and their property,” he said without elaborating.

 To address the issue, Kilgoris MP Gideon Konchella has drafted a Bill that will regulate the number of armed security guards to be seconded to various constitutional office holders.

 He wants the number of officers seconded to the officials capped at two. Sections of the law give the Cabinet Secretary Powers to consult with the office holder where circumstances require providing additional security arrangements.

Those listed in the Bill include chairperson of a commission, member and secretary who should be accorded one armed security officer, National Assembly Speaker, Speaker of the Senate and their deputies, who should get two police officers each.

Clerk of the House and Senate should get an armed police officer each while Chief Justice and his or her deputy should be provided with two armed security officers.

Director of Public Prosecutions and Attorney General too should get two armed security personnel each while judges of a Supreme Court, Controller of Budget and Auditor General should be have one officer each.

Deputy Speakers of the House and Senate, their clerks, deputy CJ and a judge of a Superior Court will be provided with one armed officer after ceasing to hold offices if the Bill is passed.