5 More Officers from Disbanded Special Service Unit Arrested

Five more officers from the disbanded Special Services Unit (SSU) of the Directorate of Criminal investigations (DCI) were arrested on Wednesday, October 26.

Moreover, the National Police Service’s Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) in a notice dated October 26 stated that the five who were attached to the DCI headquarters were arrested at the IAU headquarters in Upper Hill Nairobi.

The five arrested members of the elite squad include 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 reads.

The five officers are presently held at Industrial Area Police Station awaiting arraignment on Thursday.

Also Read: Trials of Members of the Disbanded Special Service Unit to Begin 

Likewise, the five officers were arrested just four days after four others were apprehended for allegations of conspiracy to commit a felony and kidnapping. Hence, the new arrests increase the number of police officers in custody over the saga to nine.

The officers including Chief Inspector Peter Muthee, Corporals Joseph Mbugua, Francis Ndonye and John Kamau were arrested after being questioned at the IAU offices on October 21.

Nonetheless, the DCI announced SSU’s dissolution through a statement on October 16, attributing the choice to an order from the acting Inspector General of Police Noor Gabow.

In addition, President William Ruto later in the day said he had directed the disbandment of the special service unit as part of his plan to address extrajudicial killings in the country.

According to the head of state, the police unit had become killers, instead of protectors of ordinary Kenyans.