Three DCI officers interdicted for robbery with violence

Three police officers attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) have been interdicted over claims of robbery with violence.

DCI boss George Kinoti said the action was informed by internal investigations.

The officers attached to the Special Service Unit were last week arrested after they raided a gas packaging company in Matuu, Machakos County. They kidnapped the staff before demanding cash from them.

Kinoti said they had established that the officers had not been assigned by their superiors for the operation.

“Criminals are criminals whether police officers or the general public. Effectively we have interdicted the said officers after our own investigations revealed they were on self-assignment to rob from the public,” he said.

The three will be arraigned in court on August 11 for plea taking.

They were armed with two AK 47 rifles and a pistol when they raided the gas company. The officers escorted an employee to the bank to withdraw cash and even directed the owner of the company to send Sh500,000 to their phones.

Kinoti said the officers had received information that the company was illegally refilling gas cylinders and raided the premises.

On July 31 at around 10pm, the three officers carjacked Julius Mathembe, a security manager at Baraka Gas Company and his driver at the Mathauta junction as they were heading to the company.

Two armed officers got into his car and ordered him to drive to the company premises as the police vehicle trailed them.

They escorted Mathembe to the office and asked him why they were selling gas.

He explained that they had an agreement to stock and sell products of Lake Gas.