The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has issued a statement clarifying on why the mistakenly arrested veteran journalist Macharias Gaitho.

Mistaken for Francis Gaitho

In a statement released on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, through the National Police Service, the anti-crime agency says its officers had mistaken Macharia Gaitho for Francis Gaitho, whom they say is a subject of their investigation.

“The National Police Service would like to clarify to the public that this morning, we arrested journalist Macharia Gaitho in a case of mistaken identity, meant for the arrest of Francis Gaitho who is our subject of investigation. We reiterate that as a Service, we do not target journalists in any way, and today’s incident is highly regrettable.

“The National Police Service remains committed to working with the media while discharging our mandate of promoting accountability and transparency,” the statement reads.

The National Police Service would like to clarify to the public that this morning, we arrested journalist Macharia Gaitho in a case of mistaken identity, meant for the arrest of Francis Gaitho who is our subject of investigation.

— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) July 17, 2024

Macharia Gaitho was on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, abducted inside Karen police station where he had driven to after noticing suspicious people in a Subaru of registration number KCB 847F, trailing him.

Macharia Gaitho roughed up

Gaitho was, however, followed to the police station by the unknown people, who roughed him up and bundled him in a waiting probox, and drove away with him as police officers at Karen Police Station watched.

He was later released after the DCI said the arrest was as a result of a mistaken identity.

Francis Gaitho’s problem

Francis Gaitho who is a popular X user on Monday, July 15, 2024, caught the attention of DCI after he disputed the identity of the prime suspect in the murder of women whose bodies were recovered at a dumpsite in Kware, Pipleline, in Embakasi South.

“The DCI have released the name and photo of Collins Jomaisu Khalisia as the so-called “serial-killer” linked to the bodies found at Kware dumpsite. However there’s no public records of such a name but cross-referencing the image on X reveals that his real name is Jairus Onkundi, a graduate from Meru University of Science and Technology,” Francis Gaitho stated.

The @DCI_Kenya have released the name and photo of Collins Jomaisu Khalisia as the so-called “serial-killer” linked to the bodies found at Kware dumpsite.

However there’s no public records of such a name but cross-referencing the image on X reveals that his real name is Jairus… pic.twitter.com/5BRym8u6mt

— Francis Gaitho (@FGaitho237) July 15, 2024

Francis Gaitho has since confirmed that he is in touch with his lawyer, after being mentioned by the DCI.

“Thank you for all the messages of concern. I’m truly humbled. As a law abiding citizen, I’m currently in-touch with my legal counsel on how to proceed. Warm regards,” he stated.

Thank you for all the messages of concern. I’m truly humbled.

As a law abiding citizen, I’m currently in-touch with my legal counsel on how to proceed.

Warm regards. pic.twitter.com/EvIgnGZZS4

— Francis Gaitho (@FGaitho237) July 17, 2024

The post ‘We thought he is Francis Gaitho’- DCI on Why They Abducted Journalist Macharia Gaitho appeared first on Daily Trends.

Veteran journalist Macharia Gaitho was on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, abducted inside Karen police station where he had driven to after noticing suspicious people in a Subaru of registration number KCB 847F, trailing him.

Macharia Gaitho roughed up

Gaitho was, however, followed to the police station by the unknown people, who roughed him up and bundled him in a waiting probox, and drove away with him as police officers at Karen Police Station watched.

The incident was captured on camera by Gaitho’s son who was with him at the time they were being trailed.

Macharia Gaitho released

After the video went viral on social media and caught the attention of the media, the veteran journalist was set free.

The probox which bears the registration details of KBC 725J that had driven away with him went back to Karen Police Station, dropped him and drove away.

Macharia Gaitho’s daughter Anita Gaitho has since confirmed the release of her father.

She says they have filed an abduction report at the police station.

“I’m with my dad Macharia Gaitho. He’s just been brought to Karen police station by the car that abducted him. He’s safe although they roughed him up a bit. We’re making the abduction report right now,” Anita said.

Anita has also stated that the abductors of her father had guns and handcuffs but refused to identify themselves while forcefully making the arrest.

This is the car that abducted him. Look at that foolish driver wanting to knock us down when
leaving. These fu***** criminals. They claim to
be DCl, they had guns and handcuffs and refused to identify themselves. pic.twitter.com/qKVOcebHus

— Anita Gaitho (@SiriStudioAnita) July 17, 2024

Mistaken identity

She further notes that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has confirmed that indeed the abductors were their officers, and that the arrest was as a result of a mistaken identity.

“The DCIO here have confirmed that the abductors are indeed their own DCI. They claim that it is a case of mistaken identity. They’re trying to make it difficult for us to make the report, asking us to go make it at DCI headquarters. They want us to report them to themselves?” she stated.

The DCIO here have confirmed that the abductors are indeed their own DCI. They claim that it is a case of mistaken identity. They’re trying to make it difficult for us to make the report, asking us to go make it at DCI headquarters. They want us to report them to themselves????

— Anita Gaitho (@SiriStudioAnita) July 17, 2024

The post Veteran Journalist Macharia Gaitho Abducted at a Police Station, Freed After Uproar appeared first on Daily Trends.