President William Ruto has explained why he disbanded the Special Service Unit of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Speaking at a thanksgiving service in Kericho County on Sunday, October 16, Ruto explained that the unit had been turned into a militia used to execute Kenyans.
He stated that the squad was responsible for the unexplained death of citizens whose bodies were recovered from the infamous River Yala.
"They had five years which they used to run down the country in which insecurity had hit unimaginable levels with bodies were found killed in river Yala. The police had deviated from the role of protecting Kenyans to killing them.
"That is why I gave an order that the SSU of the police be disbanded because it was killing Kenyans anyhow," the president stated.
Ruto's explanation came hours after the DCI announced that the unit had been scrapped following a directive from the Acting Inspector General of Police (IG) Noor Gabow
"The DCI Special Service Unit (SSU) has been disbanded with immediate effect. All officers serving in the disbanded unit have been recalled to DCI Headquarters for further instructions," the statement read in part.
The investigative agency noted that the move was part of changes in the National Police Service (NPS) under President Ruto's administration.
The unit was created in the year 1999 to replace Special Crime Prevention Unit.
"It was created due to the increase in unusual and peculiar crimes within the Republic of Kenya. It discharges its duties under the immediate supervision of the Director Operations DCI Headquarters and on several occasions assist in areas where Crime is perceived to be on the rise within the Country," reads its description on DCI Website.
On October 15, Ruto appointed Amin Mohammed as the new DCI Director to replace George Kinoti who submitted a resignation letter to the head of state.
While naming his nominees to the cabinet, Ruto also announced that the former police boss Hillary Mutyambai had requested to be allowed to proceed on terminal leave.
Consequently, Gabow took over in an acting capacity. On September 27, outgoing Government Spokesperson Kanze Dena announced that the president had nominated Japhet Koome to replace Mutyambai.
"His Excellency President William Ruto has nominated Eng Japhet Koome Nchebere to the position of IG of Police (IGP). Koome, a former Nairobi County Police Commander, is the current Commandant of the National Police Service College, Kiganjo," Kanze stated.
