A letter dated January 21, 2025 and posted on X, allegedly from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), summons Joseph Ngware (MCA Molo), John Mwangi (MCA Turi), Njuguna Mwaura (MCA Elburgon), and David Nganga, also known as Tetemesha, to record statements regarding the murder of Richard Otieno, a political commentator and human rights defender based in Molo.
The letter claims that on January 19, 2025, the named individuals allegedly mobilized members of the public to storm Elburgon Nyayo Hospital and remove Richard’s body. The body was reportedly taken to Elburgon Police Station before being moved to an undisclosed location, which the police took hours to locate, allegedly tampering with evidence in the process. According to the letter, the individuals are required to appear at DCI Headquarters, Mazingira Complex, Kiambu Road, on January 22, 2025, for questioning. JK Marete, the Director of Criminal Investigations, signs the letter.
Background
Richard Raymond Otieno was found dead on January 19, 2025. He was attacked by unknown assailants, and his body was discovered near the gate of his rented apartment.
Following Otieno’s murder, angry residents held protests, demanding answers from the police. The unrest escalated when residents stormed the Elburgon Morgue, took Otieno’s body, and headed towards Molo. The body was later found abandoned in a thicket near the Molo River in Turi and subsequently moved to the Kericho County Referral Hospital morgue.
Otieno was a vocal government critic and frequently challenged the constituency leadership under Member of Parliament Kimani Kuria. After unsuccessfully running for the position of Elburgon Member of County Assembly in 2022, he dedicated himself to holding elected leaders accountable for their promises until his untimely death.
Investigations into his murder are ongoing.
Verification
If the summons letter were legitimate, credible media outlets would have reported on this development in the case. However, a quick Google search shows no reports from reliable sources regarding this claim.
The DCI, through its official account on X, dismissed the letter as fake.
FAKE NEWS ALERT! pic.twitter.com/zCMboLNfSS
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) January 21, 2025
Verdict
The summons letter purportedly from the DCI is FAKE.
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