Governor Joho threatens to sue Inspector-General Boinnet

Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho has threatened to sue Inspector-General (IG) of Police Joseph Boinnet if he fails to reinstate his bodyguards who were withdrawn last week.

His lawyer, D.B.M. Mosota, wrote to the IG on Monday, giving him 24 hours to ensure that the governor is protected by armed officers round the clock.

“In the alternative, guarantee our client total safety and security of his person from imminent danger or harm or give an unequivocal written assurance to our client that you undertake to bear full responsibility in case anything happens to our client,” said Mr Mosota.

The letter, dated January 9, says that the bodyguards were ordered to return to their stations while the governor was in Ghana on Friday last week.

Administration police sentries were also withdrawn from Mr Joho’s homes.

Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi also had his police bodyguards withdrawn.

Police headquarters in Nairobi said that the move was the result of a reorganisation of the security detail, which would involve reducing the number of officers assigned to the governor.

Police sources said an escort and two sentries have since been assigned to the governor, but Mr Mosota denied the report, saying “no bodyguards have been returned”.

After the withdrawal of the two governors’ security team, the principal assistant to Deputy IG King’ori Mwangi wrote a memo to police commanders, warning officers against escorting and clearing roads for county government officials. The memo warned that any officer providing escort and chase cars to the officials would face disciplinary action, “including dismissal”.

“Police headquarters has noted with a lot of concern that police vehicles and officers are escorting county government officials and sometimes clearing roads at the expense of other road users,” the memo read. “You are further directed not to allow county government official vehicles to use the wrong side of any road. Besides the Presidency, all protocol regarding chase cars and escorts is done as directed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”