Kanja eats humble pie, to appear in court over missing persons

Inspector-General of the National Police Service Douglas Kanja issuing a press statement on the on deployment of police officers in the festive season on December 5, 2024, Nairobi. [Kanyiri Wahito Standard] Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has broken his silence regarding his absence from multiple court summons, where we was expected to respond to questions about abductions in the country. Kanja said that he would comply with court orders and appear when required. Speaking to the press in Mombasa, he said he had no problem respecting court orders. "There is no problem. When the time comes, I will appear before the court and present the facts as they are. Investigations are at an advanced stage, and there are no reported cases of missing persons," Kanja said. The disappearance of four Kenyans abducted on the outskirts of Nairobi in December 2024 has cast a dark shadow over the country's top police leadership, eroding public trust and raising serious concerns about accountability and justice. Stephen Mbisi Kavingu, Martin Nyukwa Mwau, Kalani Mwema, and Justice Mutumwa went missing on December 16 and 17 in Kitengela. Yesterday, Kanja stated that his office had instructed investigators to leave no stone unturned in their efforts to resolve the case. "I have directed the Director of Criminal Investigations and his team to ensure all investigations are conducted thoroughly to their conclusion. Any criminal found culpable will be arrested and arraigned in accordance with the law," said Kanja. "I want to assure you that we are doing everything possible in regard to the investigations, and when we make arrests, we will make it public." Despite repeated court orders, both the Inspector General and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) chief, Mohamed Amin, have failed to produce the missing individuals or provide credible explanations. The ongoing saga reached a boiling point on Monday when the two police bosses once again defied summons to appear before Justice Chacha Mwita at the High Court in Nairobi. Stern warning Justice Mwita had earlier issued a habeas corpus order, directing the police to produce the missing individuals by January 13. The failure to comply prompted the judge to issue a stern warning, requiring the presence of the police leadership in court on January 17 without fail. Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja stated that his office had instructed investigators to leave no stone unturned. "I have directed that all investigations be conducted thoroughly to their conclusion. Any criminal found culpable will be arrested and arraigned in court according to the law," he said. Last week, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua criticized the Inspector General, accusing him of overseeing a police force involved in perpetuating violence and abductions. "This is the only country where, instead of stopping violence, the police are the ones unleashing violence on innocent people. It's a shame," Gachagua said, demanding Kanja's resignation. This is not the first time the police leadership has disregarded court orders. Last month, Justice Diana Kavedza instructed Kanja and Amin to produce six other individuals who had been abducted in December 2024. The deadline of December 31 passed without compliance. Justice Mwamuye, who later took over the case, issued another order requiring their appearance, warning of imprisonment if they failed to comply. Despite these warnings, Kanja and Amin's lawyers argued in court that the orders were improperly served, denying the officers an opportunity to be heard. Lawyer Paul Nyamodi claimed, "The orders granted by this court on January 8 and 13 are final orders, granted without hearing their responses or affording them an opportunity to be heard." He further argued that the email used to serve the orders was not the correct or confirmed address of the recipients. The Law Society of Kenya (LSK), through lawyer John Nyawa, which filed the petition, rejected these claims. "The court issued these orders in the public interest to protect human rights. The question of fair hearing can't arise when you have been given an opportunity and declined to use it." The failure of top police officials to comply with court orders has sparked widespread public outcry.

Kanja eats humble pie, to appear in court over missing persons

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