DP Ruto has 257 bodyguards -CS Matiang'i

Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i has refuted reports that Deputy President William Ruto's security has been downgraded.

While appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Administration and National Security on Wednesday, Matiang'i termed the recent changes as a routine ' rearrangement'.

" The decision was not whimsical. It was consultative. Many consideration was made," he told the committee.

He also revealed that the DP is guarded by a total of 257 officers comprising other police offices deployed at his personal properties. He claimed that the DP has the biggest security team for DP in Kenya's history.

CS Matiang'I told the MPs that the Presidential Escort team forming the core of the DP security is still intact.

"There are a total of 85 officers who form the inner circle of DP's security. 74 of these are presidential escort which forms the core of Ruto's security...Apart from the 74 presidential escort unit officers, the DP has 5 GSU officers and 6 DCI as part of his inner security," he said.

Legislators allied to DP Ruto led by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei had pushed for the summoning of the Interior CS, his PS Karanja Kibicho, Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai, Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, Head of GSU, and Head of Presidential Escort to shed light on the changes made on the DP's security team.

However, the Deputy President had on Tuesday termed the appearance of top Ministry of Interior officials before the National Assembly Committee as a waste of time.