The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is a Kenyan police agency under the National Police Service (NPS). Its main mandate is to investigate all serious criminal cases as guided by law.
The DCI is one of the elite units in the country and has invested in intelligence and training to ensure it is up-to-date with the latest trends in crime.
The DCI is an equivalent of the Federal Bureau of Investigations in the United States of America.
While the agency has succeeded in investigating and apprehending some of the most dangerous criminals in the country, there are instances where it has also made glaring mistakes, as outlined before.
Westgate Mall Attack
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On September 21, 2013, the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, was attacked by terrorists, leaving at least 67 people dead and many others injured. The attack is one of the worst in Kenya's history.
After conducting its investigation, the DCI, in a statement published on its X (formerly Twitter) account on September 21, 2023, noted that there are things it should have done better, for example, in terms of gathering intelligence prior to the attack.
In its statement, the DCI noted that a group of al-Shabaab terrorists in Somalia worked with their contacts at the Kakuma refugee camp and in Nairobi to plan the attack.
The agency said investigations established that eight mobile phone lines directly linked to the attack were registered in Nairobi and switched on days prior to the attack.
According to the agency, proper intelligence on its part would have helped avert the crisis. However, it has now set up a team that is on standby 24/7 for any terror-related eventuality.
"Based on our response following the attack, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations learned from its mistakes and has since then put in place mitigating measures to ensure that such an attack does not occur," the agency said.
Published Fake Anti-government Protest Photos in March 2023
On March 24, 2023, four days after a section of Kenyans led by the Azimio la Umoja coalition took to the streets protesting over the high cost of living, the DCI published photos of persons who were allegedly involved in criminal acts.
The DCI published images of several individuals and claimed that they were wanted for violent acts in relation to the protest.
"The criminals who took advantage of the demonstrations were captured on camera destroying public property, attacking innocent members of the public, and hurling projectiles at police officers who were on duty protecting life and property. The Directorate is currently on a manhunt for the suspects whose images appear below, as others are being gathered and shall be updated. We are appealing to members of the public to volunteer information that may lead to their arrest," the statement read in part.
Following the statement, Kenyans investigated and established that most of the images were not related to the protest. This prompted the DCI to issue a public apology, citing a mix-up.
"The Directorate of Criminal Investigations wishes to unreservedly apologise to the public for the mix-up of images in yesterday’s communication, which was meant to appeal for information regarding the whereabouts of criminal suspects involved in Monday’s illegal demonstrations, the statement read in part.
Published Misleading Image on the 2024 Anti-Finance Bill Protest
On July 3, 2024, DCI published images of individuals wanted by police for allegedly committing unlawful activities during the anti-finance bill 2024 demonstrations.
The agency urged those whose images appeared on the poster to report to the nearest police station for further police action.
One of the images featured an individual posing in Parliament. However, the said individual came out and produced evidence showing that he posted the image on his Facebook page several days before Parliament was invaded by protesters.
The individual named Dennis Basweti indicated that he was invited to Parliament by Majority Chief Whip Sylvanus Osoro, who took him on a tour around the August House where the photos were captured.
Osoro corroborated Basweti's statement, prompting the DCI to issue an apology.
"The DCI has since confirmed that Mr. Dennis Basweti's narrative is true and has reached out to him with an apology, further commending him for believing in the DCI's pledge to conduct investigations thoroughly and fairly," the DCI stated.
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