Police want new unit to protect senior officials

Police officers are pushing for a new unit to be set up to provide security for senior government officials.

The unit, to be called Senior Government Officers Support Unit, will provide security to a select group of people in line with the National Police Service Bill being prepared ahead of debate in Parliament.

It is feared that demand for VIP security to match the offices established in the new Constitution might compromise the provision of essential service to the general public.

The new government structure will need about 5,000 more police officers to protect the 26 ministers, who are each assigned six police officers, 347 MPs who each get one police officer, 67 senators, 47 governors and other constitutional office holders like permanent secretaries, judges, magistrates and some parastatal heads who will also require security.

Police Spokesman Eric Kiraithe on Wednesday said the force’s strategic goal was not to provide security to all MPs and government officials, but to create a secure environment for all Kenyans.

“Our strategic direction is not to provide security to all VIPs. With time, we should reach a level where everyone feels safe and has no need for individual security.

“The Presidential Escort should be retained and a Senior Government Officers Support Unit established to provide security to officials who need security due to the nature of their job,” Mr Kiraithe said on Wednesday.

Putting the two police services under the management of a professional Inspector General will make more resources available to the services, he said.

It is anticipated that the assigning of officers to guard ministers and PSs’ offices and homes and serve as bodyguards will be stopped.

The National Police Service Bill will seek to rationalise management of police resources and reduce such deployment.

Except for Central Bank of Kenya, Kenya Revenue Authority and some government offices which will retain police security, others will be guarded by private security companies.

The new bill has placed security of government buildings under the administration police.