Muthaiga Police Station OCS Alphonse Kemengua has been interdicted over pictures of State House Digital Director Dennis Itumbi, which were taken while he (Itumbi) was in detention at the station.
The pictures, among them selfies, were shared by friends of Itumbi who had gone to visit him while in custody.
Some of the pictures which have been shared online show TV journalist Jacque Maribe, politician Josiah Murigu and Itumbi’s brother, David Itumbi with the detained digital strategist outside the cells.
A report by The Nation quoted authorities who claimed that the officers at the station allowed Itumbi and those who came to visit leave the cell and sit outside. This is where the pictures are alleged to have been taken.
Milimani court magistrate Zainab Abdul on Thursday ruled to have Itumbi detained for five more days at the same station pending investigations.
While opposing his detention, Itumbi cited concerns over his security and requested to be put under house arrest or held at Muthaiga, Gigiri, Kileleshwa police stations or State House, if he is not granted bail.
"Your honour, I listened carefully to the prosecution applying for me to be held at Kamukunji Police Station. That’s a place I'm familiar with, from my time as a journalist and also as a government officer. It’s a place where hardcore criminals are held, suspects of terror, murder too,” Itumbi lamented.
Itumbi will be held at Muthaiga police station until the mentioning of the case on July 10.
Interdiction refers to the temporary removal of an officer from performing his normal duties.
An officer may be interdicted when disciplinary proceedings for his/her dismissal are being undertaken or are about to be undertaken. The officer is usually put on half-pay at this time.
