You don’t need bodyguards and guns, Murkomen to Governor Joho

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen has dismissed Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho’s request for ‘extra’ bodyguards.

In a hard-hitting attack on Joho, Murkomen said that as an elected leader, Joho faced no significant threats that warranted him to carry guns and walk around with bodyguards.

“If you are a public leader who is in good terms with your electorate, why do you need guns and why do you need fifteen policemen to protect you?”

“I met the Inspector General of Police in Eldoret the other day with only two police officers and yet Mombasa Governor wants fifteen police officers. Is it that necessary?” Questioned the Senate Deputy Majority Leader.

He called on leaders not to be selfish and allow the excess officers to be deployed to different parts of the country and help protect Kenyans.

The debate on the withdrawal of Joho’s security spiraled last week with members of his ODM party terming it a government gimmick to divert public attention from the key issue of corruption bedeviling the nation.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Major Gen. (Rtd.) Joseph Nkaissery has, however, said the reduction of Joho’s security is a cumulative exercise that will stretch to other Governors and political leaders.

Nkaissery said that more than 11,000 police officers were currently guarding VIPs saying the number should be reduced drastically.

Meanwhile, Coast Regional Police Commander Francis Wanjohi has said Governor Joho may face arrest if he fails to return his firearms as directed by the Chief Licensing Officer Samuel Kimaru last week.

Speaking on Sunday, Wanjohi said that by refusing to return his firearms, Joho had defied the directive and may face prosecution.

In his address at a public rally last week, however, Joho stated that he would not return his gun since he had not misused it for the 20 years he had owned it.

Joho raised concerns on Thursday after seven police officers attached to him were withdrawn.

Eight officers attached to Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi and Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir’s bodyguard were also withdrawn.

Council of Governors led by chair Peter Munya also condemned the government’s action against Kingi and Joho terming the move as unconstitutional.

While ODM leaders have seen the move as government’s counter-action following Malindi by-election defeat, Coast Regional Coordinator Nelson Marwa said it was occasioned by the attack of a woman during the by-election.

@benjaminwafula