Security analyst George Musamali opined that the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) deployed at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Headquarters on March 7 was a show of power.
The elite police squad was deployed to guard the premises as former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i was grilled on his alleged Karen home raid.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke on March 7, Musamali argued that the directorate had not yet filed any charges against the former CS, adding that he couldn't be branded a terrorist as perceived.
Moreover, the government reportedly intended to humiliate Matiang’i by barring him and his entourage from entering the headquarters earlier.
According to Musamali, the move may raise political temperatures and cause unrest, possibly resulting in protests.
“If this continues, it will get to a point where it will be dangerous. People will go out to the streets.
“The heavy police presence means nothing. Matiang'i is not a terrorist and has served the people faithfully before,” Musamali, a former police officer, warned.
Moreover, he stated that the alleged detainment of Matiang’i meant that the current regime disregarded the people's voices.
“Such tactics were used during Moi’s regime and will cause people to refer to the cases of JM Kariuki and Robert Ouko,” Musamali added.
Earlier, Rarieda, Member of Parliament Otiende Amollo, who was part of Matiangi’s legal team, stated that the former CS was interrogated for 15 minutes after arriving at the DCI headquarters at 8:00 am.
“5 hours later, and he is still held in abeyance after only 15 mins engagement. This, despite a High Court order! This is no investigation, pure vendetta and witch-hunt. Sad indeed!" Amollo stated.
Among the politicians who accompanied Matiang'i were former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka and Nyamira Senator Okong'o Omogeni.
Kisii woman representative, Doris Aburi, alleged that the police wanted to use the Anti-Terrorism unit to rush Matiang'i to court at 4 pm, thus disobeying the anticipatory orders granted against Matiang'i's arrest.
Preferred Matiang'i Charges
The Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi will be charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and Publication of false information linked to an alleged police raid at his Karen home.
Sonko Plight
In a separate incident, on March 2021, the court ordered officers from the ATPU to produce former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko in court to face terrorism charges.
The court further stated that he ought to be detained for 30 days to allow for further investigations over the terrorism claims against him.
Sonko objected to the charges, which were eventually dropped.
"The purpose of this new wave of cases is to politically persecute the applicant and compel him to submit to the new ideology of the perpetrators. They want the applicant to support Building Bridges Initiative by force and without reasoning.
"They want the applicant to align to a particular ideology which he doesn’t want centrally to Article 38, which allows political freedom without fear or intimidation,” Sonko’s lawyer John Khaminwa lamented.
Role of Anti-Terrorism Police Unit
The elite squad prevents, disrupts and interdicts terrorist activities within the country. It also investigates all terrorism-related cases.
Other roles include leading other agencies at all scenes of terrorist-related incidents, creating profiles for suspected terrorists and keeping an updated databank.
It also shares intelligence with other stakeholders, reviews and monitors the security of vital installations and soft targets and sensitises the public on terrorism awareness on a need basis.
