Orengo Breaks Silence After Security Detail Is Reportedly Withdrawn Again
Siaya Governor James Orengo is furious after his security detail was reportedly pulled out on him just after he attended the memorial for the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Bondo.
Orengo claimed this was just the latest in a long series of similar incidents which has got everyone wondering about the state of security arrangements for the governor.
The timing of the protest came hours after Trans Nzoia Governor George Nathembeya went on to say that his own security officers had also been pulled out, which prompted the governor to question whether this decision was actually legal.
This is all unfolding as there is a big public debate going on about the withdrawal of security officers assigned to political leaders, with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen trying to defend the decision made against Nathembeya.
Orengo Says Security Officers Were Withdrawn Again
Orengo took to social media, claiming that his security detail was taken away from him just after he’d attended the memorial for Raila Odinga in Bondo.
He said this was just another in a long line of similar incidents, and he seemed to be trying to make a point – “I remain unbowed”, he said but that was it, no further details on this one
The reason why his security detail was withdrawn is still a mystery, and we still don’t know why this was done.
Natembeya Questions Withdrawal of His Security Detail
Orengo’s outburst came right on the heels of a similar complaint by Nathembeya, who said that his own security officers were pulled out at 11pm on Wednesday.
Nathembeya issued a statement the next day, saying this was the second time this had happened and questioning whether the decision even followed the law.
He made a pretty clear point about article 47 of the Kenyan Constitution which basically says that when the government takes some action against you, they have to do it in a way that’s fair, reasonable and lawful and also explain why they’re doing it.
Nathembeya made it clear he wants the head of police to explain what went on – basically, why his security was withdrawn and did they even follow the right procedures.
Nathembeya is demanding to know from the national police service what is going on with this kind of withdrawal and whether they even followed the proper procedures.
Murkomen Defends Withdrawal of Natembeya’s Security
Interior Cabinet Secretary,Kipchumba Murkomen came to the defence of the decision to withdraw Natembeya’s security officers; claiming the governor had been hanging out with guys who he described as a bunch of thugs & was planning on causing some chaos.
This was said by Murkomen out in Baringo when President William Ruto was visiting the area to check on some local development. He said that government supplied security shouldn’t be used to help politicians stir up trouble.
“Time to call it a day on this sort of game-playing. Some politicians are enjoying the security the government is giving them, yet they’re still up to no good – they’ve got police officers on their side but are still planning violence. You can’t have your cake and eat it” Murkomen said to cheers from the crowd.
He went on to point a finger directly at the Trans Nzoia governor (Natembeya)
“We have a governor living just down the road in Trans Nzoia who’s got a pretty dodgy crowd of friends – goons & troublemakers , if you will – who they say cause chaos. He wants the police to be on his side – and at the same time he’s still plotting his next move. The security services will not be allowing any politician to get their hands on government security & then use it to cause some mayhem”
Murkomen said he was dead set on officers doing what they do best & dealing with what he sees as political violence.
“We will stand firm , we will not be intimidated & we will keep on doing our job at the security sector, that’s the job we were put here to do & thats what we will do” he went on.
The claims about Natembeya were made originally by Murkomen & the explanation he gave specifically was about Natembeya, while the reasons behind Orengo’s security withdrawal remain pretty vague.
Ruto Warns Politicians Against Misusing Police Officers
President William Ruto also waded in on the security debate. He was addressing a passing-out ceremony for new police recruits.
In a thinly veiled warning to politicians, Ruto said they should not make use of the police to sort out their own personal scores. He also reminded security teams that they’re not above the law and that they too have to play by the rules.
The timing of his comments is a bit interesting given the reports of security detail withdrawals affecting the two governors in question (Natembeya & Orengo)
However, it’s not clear whether Ruto was speaking directly to the issue of the security detail withdrawals.
What Article 47 Says About Security Withdrawal
Article 47 of the Constitution establishes a person’s right to fair administrative action.
The article makes it clear that administrative actions have to be done in a fair , efficient , lawful , reasonable and timely manner and that written reasons have to be given if an action has a negative impact on someone’s human rights.
Natembeya invoked this article when he asked the head of the police to explain why his security detail had been taken away from him.
It’s hard to say at this point whether the specific decision to pull Natembeya’s security detail was actually in line with the law & the Constitution – that would depend on all the facts & the security procedures in place at the time.
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Orengo Breaks Silence After Security Detail Is Reportedly Withdrawn Again
