UDA using Ruto’s security situation to seek sympathy — MP Onyonka

Kitutu Chache South MP Richard Onyonka has said that United Democratic Alliance-allied politicians are taking advantage of Deputy President William Ruto’s situation to gain political mileage.

Speaking on Monday, the legislator said the UDA side is seeking sympathy from the people and are trying to show that they are the victims.

“But the way politics is in Kenya, the UDA side is trying to make mincemeat out of it for political mileage. It’s all in the season now and you’re all going to see such things,” Onyoka said on Citizen TV.

He went on to say that what he makes of the deputy president’s security situation is a purely administrative matter and believes that President Uhuru Kenyatta’s duty to ensure high ranking officials in his government are protected.

“I have every reason to believe it’s the prerogative of President Uhuru to make sure that his government protects his senior officers and I believe that is his true position up to now,” he added.

Onyonka's remarks came after politicians allied to the DP protested the change of security from his official residences from the elite General Service Unit, with Administration Police Service officers.

The office of the Inspector General last Friday said that the changeover was normal.

The DP's Chief of Staff Ken Osinde wrote to Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai seeking an explanation for the withdrawal of GSU officers from his Karen residence.

In the letter dated August 26, Osinde said the decision was made contrary to the Police Service Standing Orders Chapter 8 Section 5 (e), which states that the GSU commandant shall be responsible for the security of the president, the Deputy President, and the State Houses and Lodges.

Speaking on the matter on Sunday, Ruto said the Police should be allowed to work independently and they should not be politicised.

The second in command said the security theatrics being witnessed were a deliberate plan to distract him from furthering the politics of issues, development programmes and unity of the country.

“We do not have an issue with the security changes being made if they further the safety of millions of ordinary Kenyans,” Ruto said.

Edited by D Tarus