Kenya DP Ruto’s GSU security withdrawn

General Service Unit (GSU) officers guarding Deputy President William Ruto's official residence in Karen have been withdrawn and replaced by Administration Police (AP) officers.

The AP officers arrived at the DP's Karen residence in two vans and had a meeting with their GSU counterparts before heading to Ruto's Hardy home for a similar exercise.

For the better part of Thursday, the fate of DP Ruto’s security was a topic of speculation after his communications team claimed there were plans to redeploy security personnel stationed at both his residences.

According to the Communications Director at the Office of the Deputy President, Emmanuel Tallam, a senior police inspector in charge of security at the DP’s Karen residence was called and directed to inform the security personnel that they should be leaving the facility by 2PM on Thursday, August 26.

Tallam further said the GSU officers are expected to report back to their headquarters in Ruaraka pending redeployment.

The Government side, however, remains tight-lipped on the matter.The planned redeployment is a normal operation in the police service and it should therefore not raise any eyebrows.

In an interview Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta said he “does not understand” why Ruto is opposed to him (President) working with Raila Odinga.

The Head of State further urged Ruto to resign if he is disgruntled by the President’s sense of direction.