DP Gachagua trashes Raila’s calls for Scotland Yard in fighting extra-judicial killings

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has scoffed at opposition leader Raila Odinga’s call for the engagement of Britain-based Scotland Yard to unravel claims of extra judicial killings levelled against the police.

Odinga had on Thursday urged President William Ruto to invite foreign detectives such as Scotland Yard to probe unresolved murders.

But in his address during Sunday’s Uniformed Officers Service at Holy Family Basilica in Nairobi, Gachagua dismissed Odinga’s remarks, saying he is proud of Kenyan police officers’ patriotism, professionalism and work ethic.

He termed Odinga’s request’s insulting to the Kenyan police force.

“We were getting insulted when a leader was saying that we need to invite the Scotland Yard here to come and do investigations. We have professional officers who have the capacity and capability to work in this country,” Gachagua said.

“If we get stuck along the way and we need help from foreigners, we shall say so ourselves. I don’t think there is any advisor who can advise us on our capacity and ability to do our work,” added the country’s second-in command.

Inviting foreign intelligence agencies, according to Gachagua, borders on meddling into another country’s affairs.

“That’s a little bit meddlesome. We have professional officers in all formations in this country and our problems will be solved locally by out Kenyan officers for the benefit of Kenyans, the way it should be,” said the DP.

Gachagua at the same time urged members of the police force to stick to the rule of law in exercising their duties.

“As you undertake your duties be guided by the constitution because this is a county of the rule of law. The National Police Service Standing Orders are there to guide you, study and follow the Penal Code, Cap 63, and the Criminal Procedure Code Cap 75, be guided by the Evidence Code Cap 80 and you will be good to go,” he said.

He told them not to give in to unscrupulous bosses who give unlawful directives, saying  “If your seniors insist that you follow unlawful orders, be kind and ask them to give you something little in writing. Chances are they will abandon that matter.”