DCI chief reminds detectives not to misuse powers

Monday, 6th February, 2023

The Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin has reminded detectives around Kenya not to misuse their powers in the delivery of services to citizens.

Amin made the remarks on Saturday evening at Carnivore grounds, during the DCI New Year party which brought together over 1,500 DCI officers from across the country.

“I acknowledge with profound admiration the individual efforts of every honest, virtuous and incorruptible officer serving in the Directorate, and give them the assurance of my full support. You bear the badge of honour and respect, and the symbol of a walking lion embodied on your uniform denotes the powers you possess in your walk to delivering justice. These powers must not be misused,” he said.

The Director’s reminder comes on the back of a much-publicized trial against former police officers who were ultimately found guilty of murdering human rights lawyer Willie Kimani, his client Josephat Mwenda and their taxi driver Joseph Muiruri.

In a session to deliver sentencing, justice Jessie Lessit sentenced one of three ex-cops seen as the mastermind of the murder to death, and two others to lengthy prison terms.

A police informant was also handed a jail sentence.

The DCI Director’s reminder echoes similar sentiments by the Chairperson of the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA), Anne Makori, who used Friday’s sentencing to urge police officers to operate within the law in discharging their duties.

“It should serve not only as a relief to the relatives, friends and colleagues of the deceased persons but a deterrent to law enforcement officers who use their power to infringe on the rights of citizens as well as frustrate efforts of the agencies that the public looks up to, when seeking redress for their grievances,” Makori said.