Five more officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ defunct Special Services Unit (SSU) have been arrested in connection with an alleged abduction.
According to an October 26 notice from the National Police Service’s Internal Affairs Unit (IAU), the five were arrested on Wednesday at the IAU headquarters in Nairobi’s Upper Hill area.
The four are Corporals Joseph Mwenda Mbaya and David Chepcheng Kipsoi, as well as Constables Stephen Luseno Matunda, Paul Njogu Muriithi, and Simon Muhunga Gikonyo.
“They are being investigated for the offences of conspiracy to commit a felony contrary to Section 393 of the Penal Code and abduction contrary to Section 254 of the Penal Code,” the notice said.
The officers are currently being held at the Industrial Area Police Station, awaiting to be arraigned today, October 27.
Their arrest came just four days after four others were arrested on allegations of felony conspiracy and kidnapping.
On Monday, October 24, Chief Inspector Peter Muthee, Corporals Joseph Mbugua, Francis Ndonye, and John Kamau were arrested and arraigned at the Kahawa Law Court.
On Wednesday, Kahawa Magistrate Diana Mochache dismissed their objection to the IAU’s powers to seek orders detaining them for 30 days for investigations.
The IAU is continuing its investigation into the murders and has requested 30 days to conduct DNA tests, claiming interference from government officials, including the police.
The DCI announced the dissolution of SSU in a statement on October 16, citing an order from acting Inspector General of Police Noor Gabow.
Later that day, President Ruto announced that the elite squad had been disbanded as part of his plan to address extrajudicial killings in the country.
The Head of State claimed that the police had turned into killers rather than protectors of ordinary Kenyans.
