The High Court has stepped in to restore the security teams of Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and Kakamega Senator Boni Khwalale, after their protection was withdrawn under circumstances described as abrupt and unjustified.
The court said the matter required immediate intervention to prevent any potential risks to the leaders’ safety.
Delivered on Tuesday, the ruling issued conservatory orders preventing the authorities from reducing, altering, or interfering with the security arrangements of the two officials until the case before the court is resolved.
The judge noted that senior public figures are entitled to protection frameworks established under law and administrative protocols.
The order directs the respondents to "forthwith reinstate and restore the security detail and arrangements of the 1st Interested Party and the 2nd Interested Party in the numbers, composition, and particulars as they existed immediately before the impugned actions."
Any departure from the previous arrangements, the court warned, would be considered contempt of the directive.
In their petition, the applicants claimed that the removal of security was punitive, lacked statutory or policy backing, and violated established procedures for allocating protection to senior state officials.
They further argued that the action exposed them to serious personal danger due to the nature of their public responsibilities.
"The withdrawal not only violated due process but also exposed the leaders to significant personal risk, given the nature of their public duties," the petitioners stated.
The judge observed that the petition raised critical constitutional questions requiring protective measures.
The court highlighted that stripping a sitting governor of security without following proper procedure could compromise the official’s ability to perform public duties safely.
Conservatory orders, the court explained, are intended to preserve the status quo and prevent irreparable harm before a case is fully heard.
The directive restoring security will remain effective until an inter partes hearing on the Petitioner's Notice of Motion dated November 28, 2025, takes place.
Both parties are expected to present their arguments during the scheduled hearing, after which the court will give further guidance on how the matter should proceed.
