Siaya governor Cornel Rasanga on Saturday claimed that his life is in danger after bodyguards attached to his office were withdrawn.
The security detailed was pulled back from their duty post in what the governor alleged had connections with last week's demonstrations in Siaya.
In the demos staged to kick out IEBC commissioners, two people were killed and 29 police officers injured.
Rasanga said there was no clear explanation from the
police headquarters on the move and further disclosed that he fears of a plot to assassinate him.
“I am reading mischief on the abrupt withdrawal of my bodyguards, because I
have firsthand information that four hit-men from the flying squad are out to end my life,” Rasanga said.
The governor was assigned two armed police officers namely Joshua Rioba (Administration Police
officer) and Lawrence Nderitu Wachira (regular Police) after he was sworn
in .
He told the press at his home in Segere, that
the ordeal started while in Nairobi for the
council of governors’ elections.
He had travelled with the two bodyguards.
“One of my security officers, Rioba, was summoned as we were still in
Nairobi and his gun withdrawn from him, my second bodyguard, Nderitu, has
also been summoned today and his gun withdrawn,” he explained.
Rasanga said he has not received any official communication from the interior ministry.
He said: "As a leader who is entitled to state protection, I demand an
explanation as to why I have been left without any bodyguard to protect me".
The county boss did not hide his disappointment with police
spokesman Charles Owino for insinuating that he led residents of Siaya in
throwing stones at police.
He clarified that the demo was peaceful before
police resorted to shooting innocent protesters.
“We replicated a peaceful demonstration that was happening countrywide lead
by Cord principals. Police took away four innocent souls and left several others with
injures,” he said.
The county boss said he will now be forced to hire private security
personnel and warned the government against dictating to him the
choice of security officers.
"I want the same
security officers I had before. I will not accept any change of bodyguards if the government chooses
that route,” said Rasanga.