The Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti has promised the 2007/2008 post-election violence victims that he will pursue justice after receiving statements from some of the victims.
Speaking on Monday 23rd November 2020 at the DCI Headquarters where he met PEV victims, Kinoti said that police have already collected 118 cases from witnesses and complainants which include 48 cases of forceful displacement.
The stern speaking Kinoti displayed confidence in the collection of evidence saying police will prepare a strong case that criminal elements will find too difficult to escape.
“Very soon you will see the outcome of this event. We will look for them. I know they are waiting for another poll of violence to occur. Let them try again. We will follow the truth, prepare all the files and say this is the person who killed this person,” he said.
Kinoti declared the perpetrators will be charged locally upon conclusion of investigations.
“We know those who grabbed and are feeling comfortable wherever they are. There are those who killed, who pass over graves for people they killed,” he said.
DP Ruto allies have however dismissed Kinoti saying the DCI is being used by the ‘system’ to incite Kenyans to violence and then blame it on some people.
Taking on their social media accounts on Monday, the leaders described Kinoti as a political gun for hire being used to rescue the dying Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) and fuel ethnic animosity in Rift Valley ahead of the 2022 General Election.
Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot termed the move shameful and desperation from Kieleweke saying Kinoti will not succeed where the Kenya National Human Rights Commission and the Commission of Inquiry on Post-Election Violence (CIPEV) which was chaired by retired Judge Philip Waki.
“It’s very shameful of Kinoti to weave his unending political tales using victims of 2007 PEV. He cannot claim to have the capacity to do a better job than KNHRC and Waki commission,” he said.
Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichungwah accused Kinoti of being used by brokers and conmen to fight political wars.
He told Kinoti to say no to politicians out to use him and his office to play politics with the lives of Kenyans.
“The political circus and shenanigans Kinoti has been taken through by these political brokers and conmen, from Fight against Corruption to now an attempt to drive ethnic animosity in the Rift to rescue BBI is appalling,” Ichungwah
Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr also waded into the debate saying the reopening of the cases on account of threats to individuals should be investigated.
He wondered why the State security organs failed to find any evidence in 2008 to try the perpetrators only to turn around now and claim they are preparing a watertight case against the offenders.
“The re-opening of these cases on account of threats to individuals must be interrogated. When it was convenient, the State set up a task force which found no evidence to prosecute anyone in the 2007-8 violence,” Kilonzo tweeted.
Whether its political or genuine, Kenyans and victims of the 20007/2008 violence victims wait for justice to be served.
By Kevin Ismael
Comment here