Activist Julius Kamau holds a placard reading “End State Abductions Now” on Kimathi Street in Nairobi on December 28, 2024.
It was in mid-August that I had an interesting encounter with Director of Criminal Investigations Mohammed Amin and other senior officers of the National Police Service.
Then Acting Inspector-General of Police Gilbert Masengeli had asked for a meeting with editors when security agents were under unrelenting scrutiny over the iron-fisted response to the Gen Z-led protests; including abductions, confinement, torture, enforced disappearances and extra-judicial executions.
I attended that meeting not just as a journalist, but also as victim only a month earlier of the notorious abduction and killer squads – the “Subaru Boys”.
When given the opportunity to “greet” the top police officers, I did not mince words. I accused Mr Amin of running a criminal organisation. When Mr Masengeli interjected, I responded that the least I expected of him was the immediate arrest of Mr Amin.
I reminded police officers present of the doctrine of command responsibility; that even if they were only following orders of their political superiors, they would in the fullness of time be held individually accountable.
Other editors present were no less scathing in indictment of the police bosses. A memorable contribution came from Linus Kaikai of Citizen TV, who pointedly asked Mr Amin if he sleeps soundly at night knowing his hands are covered in blood.
He also told those present that governments come and go.
An example was given of the previous DCI boss George Kinoti, who had allowed himself to be used by the government of President Uhuru Kenyatta to harass and file false criminal charges targeting supporters of then-Deputy President William Ruto who was running a political insurrection from within.
Then Dr Ruto won the 2022 presidential elections, and almost immediately Mr Kinoti was out of a job. More than a dozen officers attached to the secretive DCI squad he formed are now facing murder charges. Mr Kinoti is not in the clear himself.
Mr Amin replaced Mr Kinoti, and enthusiastically inherited the role of a political hatchet man, serving at command of the new regime in town.
At the meeting, Mr Amin’s protestations of innocence were weak and feeble. Why does this account from the meeting in August come so many months later? Because President Ruto’s government is under renewed scrutiny over an alarming rise in police abductions and enforced disappearances.
I was one of the lucky survivors of the police terrorist squads, living to tell the tale after the abductors were forced to release me within a short period of captivity when videos of my kidnapping went viral on social media, thanks to the swift and brave actions of a young man.
After I was freed, Mr Amin issued an apology with the pathetic excuse that I had been seized under mistaken identity. He was inadvertently confirming that officers under his command were behind the abductions.
At the Jogoo House meeting, Mr Amin had repeated his apology, while Mr Masengeli and other top officers appealed to my presumed Christian piety to find space in my heart for forgiveness. I told them would only accept an apology that was accompanied by a full accounting of what took place, minimum being arrest of prosecution of officers serving in the abduction squads, whose identities must be well-known to the DCI boss.
There was the usual excuse that the incidents are under investigation. Same story today. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority supposed to be entrusted with bringing rogue officers to justice is either unwilling or unable to pursue the abduction cases.
The last time I checked, investigations into my case had hit a wall. Mr Amin and his foot soldiers, including a Mr Mwaura who heads the special unit directly responsible, were defying summonses from a toothless bulldog.
On the political front, President Ruto displays the usual game of denial and obfuscation, as do Deputy President Kithure Kindiki who was Cabinet Secretary for Interior during the initial phase of the crackdown against government critics; Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi who acted temporarily in the role; the incumbent CS Kipchumba Murkomen; present Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja; and the usual retinue of Kenya Kwanza and Orange Democratic Movement podium dancers and court jesters.
It is notable that every time they address the issue, they deny running a regime of abduction and extra-judicial killings, but at the same time offer justification for resorting to such brutal and unlawful methods. Do these fellows ever enjoy a good night’s sleep? We will not look forward to a Happy New Year when still under the grip of a sadistic, murderous regime.
[email protected]; @MachariaGaitho
