Concluded PEV cases will not be reopened, DCI says
Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has clarified that it will not reopen post-election violence cases that were investigated and concluded.
In a statement on Tuesday, DCI boss George Kinoti noted that focus will be on "recently received complaints of fear and apprehension by members of the public, who feel their lives and property are in imminent danger owing to threats".
Mr Kinoti noted the directorate's mandate to look into such complaints when they arise.
"If we find that a particular case was determined by the courts, we do not reopen such a case. This is because nobody can be subjected to double jeopardy as defined in our country's Constitution," he explained.
He said his address on Monday, when at least 118 victims of the 2007-8 clashes recorded statements at the DCI, "was an acknowledgement of concerns ... to assure the public of the commitment of the DCI to investigate all reported threats".
Criminal elements
Mr Kinoti further noted that not every complaint has criminal elements that necessitate arrest and prosecution.
"Instead, in many such cases, we pacify communities by education them on the rule of law and consequences of breaching legal statutes," he said, noting one of the DCI's main roles is to educate the public on the law and peaceful co-existence.
He said the goal of arbitration is for every party to be heard, for the sake of amicable solutions, and that there shall be no discrimination or favouritism.
"The distribution of our officers to the grassroots enables us to perform this function and attend to matters of concern reported by the public," he added.
Mr Kinoti said Monday that it is time for victims of the clashes that left at least 1,200 people dead to get justice.
Of the more than statements that were recorded, 72 were of homicide cases while 44 were of people violently kicked out of their properties.
The DCI boss said detectives will present the cases in court and prosecute those who committed murder and took property not belonging to them.
