Veteran journalist Macharia Gaitho has vehemently disputed claims by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) that his recent abduction attempt was a case of mistaken identity.
Speaking to reporters at Karen Police Station, Gaitho refuted the DCI’s narrative, asserting that there were clear indications he was the intended target.
Gaitho, visibly shaken but resolute, pointed out significant discrepancies between himself and the alleged target, social media influencer Francis Gaitho.
“That Francis Gaitho they claim they were looking for, I am twice his age. He does not reside in my area; they followed me from my home. Our cars are different, and they clearly knew who they were targeting.”
Detailing the harrowing experience, Gaitho described how he was forcibly taken into custody by individuals in civilian clothing, handcuffed, and subjected to physical assault.
“I was not resisting arrest; I was resisting criminals,” he emphasized, criticizing the lack of identification and clarity from his captors.
“They drove me around the city, even stopping near the DCI headquarters where I overheard them mentioning it. After prolonged discussions, they finally acknowledged their error but offered no satisfactory explanation for their actions.”
Following his release at Karen Police Station, Gaitho immediately sought legal recourse, highlighting the distressing nature of the incident.
“It is deeply traumatizing. They claimed authority with their Subaru and guns, yet they failed to uphold basic rights and procedures.”
Gaitho expressed disappointment in governmental assurances of safety and urged other victims of similar incidents to pursue justice.
“This goes beyond mistaken identity; it’s an assault on press freedom and civil liberties,” he asserted, calling for accountability and transparency in law enforcement practices.
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