Nairobi Governor Mike Sonkos security detail has been withdrawn.

The latest move is seen by insiders as an escalating turf war with a senior government official.

Speaking to Pulselive.co.ke, the Communications Official at the Governor's office Richard Bosire confirmed the reports.

However, Police Spokesman Charles Owino has now said Sonko's security was only reduced and not withdrawn adding that all governors were entitled a maximum 5 bodyguards.

Sonko has in the recent past complained that a senior government official was working to undermine his work at City Hall and frustrating his efforts to transform Nairobi.

The Governor's security is understood to now have been reduced to three officers following the government directive aimed at scaling down level of VIP’s protection.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i had earlier directed that the number of police officers assigned to VIPs to be cut by half in a move meant to bolster security in the country.

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A team headed by former Kenya Airways Chief Executive Officer Titus Naikuni had proposed that the officers assigned to VIPs should be reduced to avoid situations where several policemen are deployed to work for a few VIPs at the expense of the majority.