The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has issued a statement clarifying on why the mistakenly arrested veteran journalist Macharias Gaitho.
Mistaken for Francis Gaitho
In a statement released on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, through the National Police Service, the anti-crime agency says its officers had mistaken Macharia Gaitho for Francis Gaitho, whom they say is a subject of their investigation.
“The National Police Service would like to clarify to the public that this morning, we arrested journalist Macharia Gaitho in a case of mistaken identity, meant for the arrest of Francis Gaitho who is our subject of investigation. We reiterate that as a Service, we do not target journalists in any way, and today’s incident is highly regrettable.
“The National Police Service remains committed to working with the media while discharging our mandate of promoting accountability and transparency,” the statement reads.
The National Police Service would like to clarify to the public that this morning, we arrested journalist Macharia Gaitho in a case of mistaken identity, meant for the arrest of Francis Gaitho who is our subject of investigation.
— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) July 17, 2024
Macharia Gaitho was on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, abducted inside Karen police station where he had driven to after noticing suspicious people in a Subaru of registration number KCB 847F, trailing him.
Macharia Gaitho roughed up
Gaitho was, however, followed to the police station by the unknown people, who roughed him up and bundled him in a waiting probox, and drove away with him as police officers at Karen Police Station watched.
He was later released after the DCI said the arrest was as a result of a mistaken identity.
Francis Gaitho’s problem
Francis Gaitho who is a popular X user on Monday, July 15, 2024, caught the attention of DCI after he disputed the identity of the prime suspect in the murder of women whose bodies were recovered at a dumpsite in Kware, Pipleline, in Embakasi South.
“The DCI have released the name and photo of Collins Jomaisu Khalisia as the so-called “serial-killer” linked to the bodies found at Kware dumpsite. However there’s no public records of such a name but cross-referencing the image on X reveals that his real name is Jairus Onkundi, a graduate from Meru University of Science and Technology,” Francis Gaitho stated.
The @DCI_Kenya have released the name and photo of Collins Jomaisu Khalisia as the so-called “serial-killer” linked to the bodies found at Kware dumpsite.
— Francis Gaitho (@FGaitho237) July 15, 2024
However there’s no public records of such a name but cross-referencing the image on X reveals that his real name is Jairus… pic.twitter.com/5BRym8u6mt
Francis Gaitho has since confirmed that he is in touch with his lawyer, after being mentioned by the DCI.
“Thank you for all the messages of concern. I’m truly humbled. As a law abiding citizen, I’m currently in-touch with my legal counsel on how to proceed. Warm regards,” he stated.
Thank you for all the messages of concern. I’m truly humbled.
— Francis Gaitho (@FGaitho237) July 17, 2024
As a law abiding citizen, I’m currently in-touch with my legal counsel on how to proceed.
Warm regards. pic.twitter.com/EvIgnGZZS4