Were police officers withdrawn from DP Ruto’s event in Nyeri?
Police have dismissed reports of withdrawing security from a church event graced by Deputy President William Ruto in Tetu, Nyeri county on Thursday.
Tetu Sub-County police commander (SCPC) Mr Isaiah Odhiambo has said the reports circulated on social media by bloggers and reported by one of the television stations were false and misleading.
He said at least 75 police officers drawn from various security agencies including the Kenya Police, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, traffic department and General Service Unit were at the event.
“I was informed two days earlier about the event and we made the security arrangements. Upon landing at a nearby school, the Deputy President found security officers and I was the team leader,” Mr Odhiambo said.
While condemning the bloggers, the officer clarified that he received the Deputy President upon landing in a chopper in a field that is a short distant from the church he escorted him to the venue, where there was a crowd of about 2,000 faithful.
On reaching the church, Dr Ruto was received by the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) clergy led by Archbishops Fredrick Wang’ombe and Samson Muthuri.
“I stayed there (church) until the event was over before escorting him back to the chopper. The bloggers were spreading false information for political purposes. We, in the security, do not play politics,” Mr Odhiambo added.
OVERWHELMING
Terming the day as busy and overwhelming for the security agencies, Mr Odhiambo said another contingent of police had been deployed in Othaya for the burial of Ivy Wangechi– the Moi University student killed by her lover.
“Both events had huge crowds but we have enough officers to ensure everybody is safe,” he noted.
He explained that the area deputy county commissioner, a Ms Ogola, was not present as she is mourning a relative’s death.
“The DCC has not being around for some days as she is mourning,” said the officer.
The television station had claimed that the order to withdraw the security from Dr Ruto’s event was issued from the provincial administration.
Efforts of getting a clarification and further information from the Nyeri county commissioner Mr David Kipkemei were futile as he did not pick calls or respond to text messages.