Govt makes a u-turn, reinstates Joho, Kingi security

The government has reinstated the security detail of Mombasa Governor, Ali Hassan Joho, and his Kilifi counterpart, Amason Kingi.

According to Vigilance House, the bodyguards of the two opposition Governors were restored Tuesday, January 10 after normal re-organization by Police Headquarters.

Kingi had accused police and the national government of intimidating him and Joho for political reasons by withdrawing their security detail, claims the government has since denied.

Addressing the press at State House, Mombasa on Sunday, State House Spokesman, Manoah Esipisu, said the move was part of the local security’s command to restructure security in the area.

Police Headquarters has, however, not communicated whether the Governors will be allowed to use police chase cars after Police Commanders were ordered not to allocate police chase cars to Governors.

Three days after they were controversially withdrawal, the Council of Governors (CoG) had resolved to sue Interior Cabinet Secretary, Major Gen. (Rtd.) Joseph Nkaissery, for withdrawing security services for Mombasa Governor, Ali Hassan Joho, and his Kilifi counterpart, Amason Kingi.

The Governors  wrote a statement condemning the action by CS Nkaissery arguing that governors are state officers under oath of office and therefore are entitled to security services from the state as prescribed by article 260 of the constitution and other state service statutes.

The security teams of the two Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) governors were pulled last Saturday resulting in an uproar from the opposition who termed the move as bullying.

Reacting to the withdrawal of the officers, ODM director of elections Junet Mohammed said the party was shocked by these “acts of bullying that are meant to blackmail and arm-twist Governor Joho into supporting the failed Jubilee regime or to cow him into silence”.

Mr Mohammed said the actions, coinciding with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s visit to Mombasa, are “illegal and unconstitutional and an abuse of office and power”.