The National Police Service (NPS) has denied allegations that it withdrew the security detail of High Court Justice Lawrence Mugambi following his landmark sentencing of Acting Police IG Gilbert Masengeli to six months imprisonment for contempt of court.

The NPS' alleged move, initially claimed by Chief Justice Martha Koome, sparked discussions about police conduct and adherence to the law with critics opining that the measure was a retaliatory action against the judge following his ruling.

"The NPS wishes to rebut the allegations raised by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) relating to the assignment of personal security to Judges and to assure the Country that security of all Kenyans, Judges included, remains our utmost priority," Masengeli said in a statement on Tuesday.

He further defended NPS' independence and operational autonomy, reaffirming that the law enforcement agency operates under constitutional independence.

Masengeli likewise asserted that no external authority can direct or interfere with the employment, assignment, promotion, suspension, or dismissal of police officers.

"Article 245(4)(c) of the Constitution provides for the independent command of the NPS vested in the Inspector General of Police (IG) and no person may direct the IG with respect to the ‘employment, assignment, promotion, suspension or dismissal of any police officer," Masengeli said.  

"Other independent offices and arms of Government cite the Constitution to be the basis for their independence. This is the same source of authority for the operational autonomy and independence of the NPS. The NPS totally rejects attempts to intimidate, coerce or otherwise interfere with the operational and functional independence of the Police."

According to Masengeli, while the NPS strives to protect all Kenyans, including judges, it is not feasible to provide personal security to every individual.

"It is the responsibility of the IG to determine requests for personal security detail to any Kenyan in so far as it is practicable, taking into consideration the need for personal security requirements of other Kenyans and the imperatives of addressing collective national security threats as and when they arise," he said.

The IG's remarks comes just hours after the Independent Policing and Oversight Authority (IPOA) launched investigations into the alleged withdrawal of Mugambi's security detail.