UPDATE: SATURDAY, MARCH 25: The Directorate of Criminal Investigations issued a public apology after being called out for using misleading photos regarding the Azimio protests held on March 20.
In a statement, the investigative agency acknowledged that the mixup was occasioned by the information sent to it by the public under its Fichua campaign.
However, DCI reiterated that it was still hunting down those involved in destroying property during the protest.
We unreservedly apologise to the public for the mix-up of images in yesterday’s communication, which was meant to appeal for information regarding the whereabouts of criminal suspects involved in Monday’s illegal demonstrations.
Narc Kenya Party leader Martha Karua on Saturday, March 26, demanded an apology from the National Police Service (NPS) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) after the latter was exposed for using misleading photos.
In a statement, she noted that the various fact-checks indicated that the photos of violence - which DCI claimed were from Azimio's protest - were taken from past events and other countries.
Karua questioned the security agency's motive, claiming that the plan was to disrupt the protests by the Raila Odinga-led faction.
"DCI can no longer be trusted to the police or investigate fairly after the deliberately misleading photos debacle exposed by the media.
"This confirms that the illegitimate regime used sections of the police & thugs to brutalize protesters last Monday and to cause destruction and are planning to do a repeat on Monday 27," read the statement in part.
Karua also noted that some officers showed restraint during the past demonstration and called out their colleagues for using excessive force.
"We salute the many police officers who continue to maintain professionalism and to show great restraint while reminding the few bent on breaking the law instead of upholding it that they will be held to account individually,' Karua stated.
On Friday, March 24, DCI ordered 'individuals' in the captured fake photos to avail themselves at its Kiambu Road headquarters for questioning.
“The Directorate is currently on a manhunt for the suspects whose images appear below as others are being gathered and shall be updated, who will face charges ranging from robbery with violence, malicious damage to public property and assault among other allied offences," DCI's statement read.
It further alleged that a policeman lost a gun loaded with 15 rounds of 9mm calibre after being attacked by rowdy youth.
However, after the agency published the images, they were fact-checked, and it was established that some of the images were taken during past protests from other countries, such as Burundi.
