Editor's Review

"I feel vulnerable and naked considering our work involves moving around and even traveling at night."

Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara has raised alarm over the withdrawal of her security detail, accusing President William Ruto of having a hand in it. 

Speaking on Friday, May 23, Kihara said her life is at risk and squarely placed responsibility on Ruto should any harm befall her.

The lawmaker suggested that she has been targeted because of her association with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

"If you are going to use security to frustrate friends of Rigathi Gachagua, it is all in vain; I don't think you will go very far. I need security because it is my right, and should anything happen to me, President William Ruto is to be blamed," she added.

Kihara further called out Ruto for going against his promise not to weaponize state security for political ends.

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"We sat many times, and you promised that you would never use security forces for political reasons, but this is exactly what you are doing. I feel vulnerable and naked considering our work involves moving around and even traveling at night," she added. 

File image of Naivasha MP Jane Kihara

Kihara appealed for the reinstatement of her security detail, describing the withdrawal as unfair and dangerous.

"Mr. President, please give me back my security officer; I'm a very junior person to be fought with that kind of a big punch," she further said. 

This is not the first time the Kenya Kwanza government has been accused of withdrawing security from government critics or defectors. 

For instance, on Tuesday, April 8, former Public Service CS Justin Muturi revealed that the state had withdrawn his security detail.

Speaking to the media, he lamented that the move was against the law, given that he was still entitled to a security detail, given that he served as a speaker of the National Assembly. 

“My security detail was withdrawn last night at around 7:30 p.m. Two Police officers who were attached to me by virtue of my position as former Speaker of the National Assembly were told not to report for duty today,” he stated. 

Muturi noted that the move to withdraw his security was an attempt to intimidate him, given his recent stand on the government and its policies.