MERU, Kenya – Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Friday arrested police officer Hiram Kimathi at his residence in the Kambakia area of Makutano, Meru County, in what is believed to be a continued crackdown on the controversial Fighting Brutality and Impunity (FBI) movement.
Kimathi’s arrest occurred at 1pm, after detectives reportedly camped at his house for several hours. He emerged willingly before being handcuffed and taken away in an unmarked Subaru.
The officer becomes the latest individual linked to the anti-police brutality group to be detained, following the arrests of Jackson Kuria Kimani, alias Cop Shakur, and former Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officer Patrick Osoi, both currently in custody.
Kimathi’s lawyer, Dan Kiruai, who arrived during the arrest, told reporters that authorities had not disclosed the offence his client was accused of, nor which police station he was being taken to.
“We believe this arrest is politically motivated and connected to his public stance against police brutality,” said Kiruai. “It violates his constitutional right to freedom of expression.”
‘FBI’ Group in the Spotlight
The arrests follow mounting scrutiny of the so-called FBI movement, which authorities say is attempting to recruit serving and former officers to challenge what it describes as “illegal orders” from the state.
DCI documents filed in court during Osoi’s arraignment at Kahawa Law Courts on Wednesday claim that he, Kimathi, and Cop Shakur are co-founders of the movement, which the government views as a potential national security threat.
Osoi, a former KDF officer who also claims to be a U.S. Army veteran and former National Intelligence Service (NIS) operative, is facing multiple charges, including:
- Preparing to commit a felony
- Possession of a firearm
- Possession of ammunition without a certificate
- Recruitment and facilitation of terrorism
Osoi has also publicly announced his intention to run for president in the 2027 General Election under the FBI banner—a move that may have drawn the attention of security agencies.
Cop Shakur was arrested earlier this week while attending court to show solidarity with Osoi.
He was immediately detained, adding to growing concerns about state surveillance and suppression of dissenting voices.
