Police Commandant Says Officers in Civvies Not Breaking the Law, Refutes Abduction Claims During Anti-Finance Bill Demos
Leaders from the National Police Services (NPS) on Tuesday refuted allegations that police officers had abducted and tortured protesters during the anti-Finance Bill 2024 demonstrations.
During a meeting with the Kenya Editors Guild (KEG), Mohamed Amin, Director of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, asserted that he was confident the police were not involved in any abductions.
Amin emphasized that all arrests made by the police were lawful and that detainees were held in authorized police stations.
“We take arrestees to official police stations. The DCI has no role in kidnappings. If I knew where the missing Kenyans were, I would say so. Why would I kidnap anyone, and where would I even take them?” Amin questioned while speaking to mainstream editors.
Amin criticized media reports suggesting that the DCI was involved in kidnappings, insisting such claims were unfounded.
He reaffirmed his innocence, stating, “I am at peace with myself; I have never engaged in extrajudicial killings.”
Meanwhile, Gideon Nyale, Commandant of the Kiganjo Training College, clarified that the Constitution permits police officers to wear civilian clothing while making arrests.
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Nyale addressed public concerns about police in civilian clothes participating in abductions during the protests.
“Our operations are guided by specific orders, and decisions are made based on on-the-ground intelligence. Wearing civilian clothes is not illegal; it can be necessary for gathering information,” he explained.
Nyale added that officers must make individual judgments when executing orders and only use firearms when warranted.
In a high-profile abduction case, Amin apologized to veteran journalist Macharia Gaitho for a mistaken identity incident that occurred at Karen Police Station last month.
Since the protests began in mid-June, over 60 people have gone missing, with most still unaccounted for. Additionally, more than 24 individuals have died, with some deaths attributed to police violence.
The NPS remains dedicated to collaborating with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to resolve these cases.
Police Commandant Says Officers in Civvies Not Breaking the Law, Refutes Abduction Claims During Anti-Finance Bill Demos
