Deputy President William Ruto has beat a hasty retreat on challenging the decision by the government to switch the security at his official residence and homes in Nairobi and Sugoi.

Ruto on Tuesday asked the National Assembly not to waste its time on what he termed “non-issues” in reference to grilling Interior CS Fred Matiang’I and PS Karanja Kibicho on the changes.

In a post on social media, the DP says the Administration Police was a “professional service” days after he protested the replacement of General Service Unit (GSU) officers with AP officers.

William Ruto. PHOTO/DPPS 

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“PARLIAMENTARY time should not be WASTED on non-issues. The AP is a PROFESSIONAL SECURITY SERVICE and those who think its a down grade are WRONG. Parliament should instead focus on DEPLOYMENT to serious security SITUATIONS in areas where bandits are causing mayhem & destruction,” he posted on social media.

This comes days after Ruto’s office, via communications secretary David Mugonyi, had sternly protested the move terming it illegal saying no explanation had been given for the changes.

“The withdrawal extends to all of His Excellency’s residences. At this stage, no explanation has been offered for the strange and unlawful decision. The decision has been made contrary to Police Service Standing Orders, Chapter 8 Section 5(e), that the GSU commandant shall be responsible for security of the President, the Deputy President, State houses and lodges,” he said.

Mugonyi had then indicated that the Deputy President’s office had written a protest letter to the Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai seeking an explanation for the sudden move.

But he now says he is content with the changes and even shared cups of tea with the AP officers deployed to his residence on Monday and circulated the video and photos online for maximum optics.

William Ruto. PHOTO/DPPS 

Ironically, this comes even as his close ally, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, petitioned Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka to recall senators to grill top security bosses over Ruto’s security saga.

The GSU guards protecting the DP’s official residence in Karen, Nairobi and his rural home in Sugoi, Uasin Gishu County were replaced with APs in unclear circumstances on Thursday.