DCI: Kenyans lied to us on Azimio protesters' pictures

Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Amin Mohamed Ibrahim after a joint security media briefing at the National Police College Embakasi 'A' Campus in Nairobi on November 15, 2022. [Kelly Ayodi, Standard]

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Saturday, March 25 apologised for using false photos of suspects in the Azimio la Umoja protests.

The investigative agency said Kenyans misled them by submitting old pictures through public channels.

A screenshot of some of the images that had been released by the DCI alleging they featured Azimio la Umoja protestors.

The apology comes a day after the DCI published on their Twitter page pictures alleged to be those of Azimio protesters, who reportedly destroyed property during March 20 demos in Nairobi.

"The DCI wishes to unreservedly apologise to the public for the mix-up of images in yesterday's (March 24) communication, which was meant to appeal for information regarding the whereabouts of criminal suspects involved in Monday's illegal demonstrations.

One of the photos released by DCI, the photo was however taken by Getty Images on August 15, 2022.

"The mix-up was partly occasioned by the overwhelming information that we had received via the #FichuakwaDCI online platform regarding the reported incidents of violence. We are working towards rectifying the same and maintaining public confidence," said the investigative agency.

This image was captured by Getty Images on November 28, 2017, during demonstrations in Nairobi's Umoja estate.

Some of the pictures the DCI published as those of Azimio demos suspects were taken in 2008, 2015 and 2022.

Other pictures were taken in Burundi, and not Kenya.