Lawyers query role of CID in fighting crime

By David Ohito

Fighting crime and impunity will remain a mirage and challenging task for the criminal investigatory department unless crucial reforms are undertaken, experts have warned.

As the mystery of the story of serial killer Philip Onyancha continued to unravel, lawyers questioned the role of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in detecting and preventing crime.

Last week, Attorney General Amos Wako hit out at the CID, saying it lacked autonomy and independence and his office could do little about shoddy investigations by the unit.

Said Wako: "The CID must be professionalised, paid well and equipped with forensic laboratories and new scientific equipment in fighting crime."

Critical services

Lawyer Paul Muite and the Institute for Peace and Conflict’s Wainaina Ndung’u called for urgent improvement of the investigation wing.

"We proposed a strong and effective Directorate of Criminal Investigations to be headed by Director-General, who shall be appointed by the President but approved by Parliament to the Committee of Experts on Constitution in vain," said Mr Muite.

Central Imenti MP Gitobu Imanyara said Kenya must reform the investigatory arm and outsource critical services from experts as a best practice.

"If you look at investigation of a serial killer demanding ransom using one number, it tells of the laxity and calls for strong reforms and need to equip the department," Mr Imanyara said.

Imanyara called for separation of the investigatory functions from those of the prosecutorial wing.

Police investigate and hand over files to the Attorney General’s office to prosecute.

Top Government officers are shopping for replacement of CID Director Gatiba Karanja, who passed away recently.

"We proposed that the Director be appointed for a five-year term, renewable once by a board to be established under the Constitution and composition set in an Act of Parliament," Muite said.