‘No one is above the law,’ DCI responds to Gachagua’s claims on State capture

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has dismissed allegations by Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua over alleged State capture and interference with criminal investigations, insisting that its work is guided by evidence and the law.

In a statement issued on Tuesday hours after Gachagua's presser, the DCI rejected what it termed unsubstantiated claims by the former Deputy President, saying political affiliation or public prominence does not influence how criminal investigations are conducted.

The agency said it does not sanction, facilitate or conceal criminal conduct and challenged anyone making such allegations to provide credible evidence.

"DCI categorically states that it does not sanction, facilitate, conceal, or participate in criminal conduct of any kind, regardless of the identity or status of any person involved. The DCI remains a professional investigative agency mandated by law to investigate serious and complex crimes, gather evidence, and present cases to the relevant prosecutorial and judicial authorities," stated DCI.

The DCI further maintained that investigations into alleged abductions, disappearances, deaths, police shootings and other serious offences are undertaken based on available evidence and within its legal mandate.

“No individual is above the law. Neither political affiliation nor public prominence influences the manner in which a criminal investigation is conducted,” the DCI said.

Gachagua on Tuesday accused President William Ruto's administration of state capture, alleging that the President had centralised control of key State institutions, constitutional commissions, State entities and public procurement.

Gachagua also claimed that the President had used the presidency to enrich himself, alleging that Ruto had become a US dollar billionaire through the alleged looting of public resources.

He further accused the government of allowing corruption to thrive, claiming that billions of shillings were being lost from public coffers.

"Over the last 4 years William Ruto has captured the state. He has focused on centralising control of independent constitutional commissions, State entities, public sector procurement and sale of strategic national assets. All these measures are aimed at achieving the objective of enriching himself at the expense of 55 million Kenyans," he said.

The DCI, however, rejected suggestions that its investigations were being conducted to serve political interests, saying outcomes are determined by evidence and applicable law.

The agency also defended its handling of several high-profile murder investigations, citing progress in the probe into the killing of PCEA Tabuga Church Reverend Julius Ndumia Ngari in Nakuru North Sub-County.

Salso said four armed gangsters were killed during an intelligence-led operation along the Eldoret-Kiplombe-Soy Road after they engaged detectives in a gun battle. A loaded Falcon pistol was recovered at the scene.d arraigned before the Nakuru Law Courts in connection with the murder.

The DCI also said four armed gangsters were killed during an intelligence-led operation along the Eldoret-Kiplombe-Soy Road after they engaged detectives in a gun battle. A loaded Falcon pistol was recovered at the scene.

"Forensic analysis and other evidence revealed the gang’s involvement in the robbery with violence incident where the PCEA reverend was murdered, as well as their possible involvement in other criminal activities across the region," DCI noted.

On the recent murder of researcher Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso, the DCI said detectives had made “tremendous progress” and that efforts to arrest the remaining suspects were ongoing.

The agency also announced the arrest of Oscar Koech Sakong, a suspect linked to the murder of 61-year-old businessman Nathan Masai Wasama, who was shot dead at his shop in Tuikut Trading Centre, Sasur Location, Cheptais Sub-County.

The DCI said Sakong had been escorted to Sirisia Police Station as detectives pursued further leads into the murder.

The agency also cautioned against using deaths and other tragedies involving public figures and private citizens to advance political narratives, saying such conduct takes advantage of grieving families.

It further said it would not conduct investigations through the media or disclose sensitive operational information that could compromise ongoing cases.

The DCI maintained that where investigations establish criminal culpability, suspects will be processed according to the law and presented before the relevant authorities.

The agency urged Gachagua and members of the public with information on alleged criminal activity to submit it through official investigative channels.

The DCI said the information would be assessed and acted upon in accordance with the law, as it continues to work with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the Judiciary.