Detectives drawn from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have dismissed reports by a local daily that they attempted to block former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua from attending a church service in Nairobi.
The DCI officers in a statement dated Tuesday, November 12, termed the allegations as false and misleading, adding that the claims were aimed at misrepresenting their actions and intentions.
According to the detectives, the DCI operates within the parameters established by the rule of law and has consistently affirmed its commitment to refraining from interference in the liberties of individuals and institutions.
While distancing itself from the allegations, the DCI noted that the writer's claims that they were unable to obtain a comment from the officers were incorrect.
In their statement, the DCI officers urged the local publication to thoroughly verify facts, represent balanced perspectives, and handle sensitive topics carefully while upholding fairness in journalism.
"We want to clarify that these allegations are entirely false and seem to be aimed at misrepresenting the actions and intentions of the DCI. The publication must thoroughly verify facts, present balanced perspectives, and handle sensitive topics carefully," read part of the statement by the DCI.
"The Directorate of Criminal Investigations provided a prompt response, reaffirming the DCI's commitment to respecting the autonomy of religious institutions and the writer acknowledged receipt of this response," the statement added.
The local daily reported that the founder of the church where Gachagua had been invited told the congregation that the government had tried to cancel his appearance, claiming that hosting him would amount to incitement and would disrupt peace in the area.
According to the article, the preacher, through a secretary-general to the board, informed the publication that after the service, detectives raided his residence in Ruiru, Kiambu County, seeking to know why he was hosting the former deputy president.
However, he stood his ground, insisting that Gachagua's presence at his church did not have any ulterior motive.
The church board’s secretary-general said the preacher had to change vehicles because he was warned that detectives were following him.
The published story also claimed that the detectives, driving unmarked Subaru cars, saw Gachagua’s presence as a national security threat that could provoke the local community against the government.
