Govt to withdraw security detail for VIPs involved in crime

The National Police Service says it will not provide security detail to VIPs who are involved or suspected to be involved in crime.

In a statement issued on Monday, Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai said VIPs charged over criminal offences will have their security stripped until they are cleared by the courts.

“To avoid compromising and demeaning the very essence of which the police is mandated, the National Police Service shall not provide security detail to VIPs who are involved or suspected to be involved in crime until they are cleared by the courts,” reads the statement.

According to the IG, civilian firearm holders involved in crime will have their firearm licenses  cancelled and the weapons withdrawn.

The announcement comes in the wake of a shooting incident involving Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino and a DJ.

The MP, who has since been charged with attempted murder, shot and wounded Felix Orinda popularly known as DJ Evolve at B-Club in Nairobi on Friday.

He was on Monday remanded for seven days pending a ruling on his bail application.

Bahati Member of Parliament Kimani Ngujiri has also been directed to surrender his firearms to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations following his previous remarks about Deputy President William Ruto being locked out of his office in Mombasa.