A top detective with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is facing graft and extortion charges.
The officer identified as Robert Samoei was accused of using his girlfriend's mobile number to extort residents of Makueni County.
Samoei was arrested after police established that the suspect registered multiple mobile money lines using his girlfriend’s Identity Card number and used them to extort from members of the public.
The woman was unaware that her ID number was registered and being used by the detective until officers called her asking for crucial details. She was also urged by the sleuths to assist with investigations.
Detectives from the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) nabbed Samoei following complaints from traders based in Emali and Salama who reported to police that the officer was extorting, harassing and abusing his office.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) approved criminal charges against Samoei after a probe was conducted into his dealings.
His arrest comes barely a week after the IAU arrested and charged Police Constable, Evans Kemboi, with the offences of assault and malicious damage to property.
Kemboi based at Spring Valley Police Station was accused of assaulting a member of the public along Jogoo Road in Nairobi on September 25, 2020.
A report is seen by Kenyans.co.ke detailed that the victim was confronted by the police officer along Jogoo Road in the middle of a traffic jam for allegedly blocking his way.
The victim reportedly fled and sought refuge at Jogoo Police Station. However, Constable Kemboi chased after him into the police station where he was reported to have assaulted assault him.
A report by the IAU indicated that the officer rained heavy blows and kicks on the helpless man whose cries fell on deaf ears.
Cases of police brutality have been making headlines in the country and last year. The Director of Public Prosecution, Noordin Haji, through a report acknowledged that police are a major obstacle in the prosecution of cops accused of brutality against civilians.
The report was submitted to the Senate Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights.
In the document, Haji pointed out that evidence tampering, intimidation of witnesses and victims, and interference with investigations by police are the major challenges that his office faces during the prosecution of police brutality cases.
