NAIROBI, Kenya- Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua says a specialised team within the National Police Service was behind the abduction of Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich.
In a statement directed at Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Gachagua said that the journalist had been placed under surveillance before he was abducted along the Gilgil-Nakuru Road on Tuesday night.
Gachagua said that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) assembled a team led by Zachary Kariuki, whom he described as a retired officer who had been recalled to coordinate the operation.
He further said that the team was made up of about 60 officers and alleged that it had previously been involved in other abductions and killings.
Kiprotich was forcefully taken by armed, masked men shortly before 9.20 pm on Tuesday.
He was found near Masinga Dam in Machakos County about nine hours later.
The Standard Group has said footage captured the incident, while accounts from Kiprotich described four masked men armed with AK-47 rifles.
The AK-47 rifles resemble those issued by the government and used by the police.
The National Police Service has since ordered an investigation into the incident, with Inspector General Kanja directing the Anti-Abduction Unit to establish what happened and identify those involved.
Gachagua questioned whether the police command was capable of investigating the incident independently.
He accused Kanja of having little control over operations within the National Police Service.
The DCP boss said Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat and DCI Director Mohamed Amin wielded greater influence over operational decisions.
He also alleged that Kiprotich had been preparing an investigation into financial irregularities involving compensation paid to people evicted from the Mau Forest.
Gachagua said the journalist was working on an exposé concerning alleged misuse of compensation funds when he was targeted.
He further alleged that a meeting between President William Ruto and Murkomen on Monday night preceded the decision to stop Kiprotich.
Gachagua also challenged Kanja to release findings from previous investigations into several incidents, including the death of Rachel Wandeto, attacks on churches in Witima, Mwiki and Kariobangi, and violence reported during the Ol Kalou by-election.
The accusations come as pressure mounts on police to explain Kiprotich’s abduction.
The Media Council of Kenya, human rights organisations led by Amnesty International Kenya, the Crime Journalists Association of Kenya, among others, has demanded a thorough investigation.
Gachagua has cautioned IG Kanja that he could eventually face responsibility for abuses within the security services.
The police investigation into Kiprotich’s abduction is ongoing.
