In light of recent reports surrounding Dr. Fred Matiang’i and the purported dispatch of officers to arrest him, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) would like to address these allegations.
To locate or detain Dr. Matiang’i at his home or elsewhere, no DCI personnel were sent.
For the record, I can attest that none of the instances under investigation have, as of yet, progressed to the point where Dr. Matiang’i’s aid or presence is necessary.
The DCI has launched a preliminary investigation into the accusations of a raid on Dr. Matiang’i’s residence.
Unfortunately, a person of the stature of a former Interior Security Cabinet Secretary led the well-coordinated and intentional effort to circulate false information and sow public fear, according to our preliminary findings.
According to our study, on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, about 8 PM Kenyan time, activity started to gather at Dr. Matiang’i’s residence.
At first, Dr. Matiang’i told his guards that he was expecting visitors—lawyers—and gave them instructions to let them in when they showed up.
Soon after they arrived, the attorneys went inside to have a meeting. Politicians led by the former prime minister Raila Odinga soon joined them.
After a little while, the attorneys left the compound in three cars while leaving the other three cars behind. They told the guards before leaving that they would be speaking to the media.
Mr. Odinga and his entourage left the house about 9.30 p.m. to go join the attorneys at the press conference. The guards were then told by Dr. Matiang’i that police would be coming to arrest him and that the media would also be there. He gave them the order to let the police inside but to keep the media outside.
The newsrooms were subsequently informed by the Hon. Raila Odinga information team that an elite police unit had surrounded the former CS’s home. There is little doubt that the media contributed to the disinformation effort by reporting the news as reality.
The DCI affirms that this was the most extreme example of fake news, and that it was an intentional and malicious attempt to propagate false information and arouse fear.
DCI will give the media room to reflect on itself. In our opinion, it ought to take responsibility for its part in disseminating this incorrect information and express regret to the public.
The DCI will not put up with people who spread untruths and will take decisive measures against everyone implicated in this situation. False information vendors need to recognize that they can no longer get away with reckless actions that threaten our nation’s cohesion and security.
The DCI will keep looking into this problem and soon make an announcement about what will happen next. We reassure the public that we are dedicated to following the law and that everyone involved will be held accountable for their conduct.
