- Police spokesperson Bruno Shioso said investigations have been launched
He had injuries on most of his body parts when he was found naked in Lucky Summer area, Kasarani by a taxi driver. -
MPs allege that after Itumbi's abduction, a campaign of misinformation was intensified by some individuals and bloggers making it difficult to find him.
- They demand impartial and independent investigation.
Image: FILE
MPs allied to Deputy president William Ruto have condemned the abduction and torture of Digital Strategist Dennis Itumbi.
The MPs pointed an accusing finger at state agencies claiming that hit squads still exist.
“Itumbi has confirmed that his abductors took turns to beat him while warning him that the torture was revenge for his social media coverage, " the MPs said in a statement read by Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika.
"They also questioned him on a post he made on Saturday 18th December 2021 on formation of a KRA team led by Sammy Muchemi ostensibly to harass business people associated with Deputy President William Ruto,” the MPs said in the joint statement.
The MPs alleged that the abductors demanded that Itumbi stop discussing David Mwendwa, son of the Inspector-General of the National Police Service, who is under investigation following a road accident that claimed the lives of two bodaboda riders.
The MPs also included included Kipchumba Murkomen, Aaron Cheruiyot, Ben Washiali, Ndindi Nyoro, Kimani Ichungwa, Gladys Shollei and Rigathi Gachagua.
“The criminal squad handcuffed him from behind and tied his legs with a rope. They told him he knew why they were arresting him upon his inquiry and added he will know more when he would be interrogated by the boss who he must support. On saying he would rather die than support anyone's cause by coercion, that’s is when the beatings and torture started,” the MPs alleged.
The MPs claimed that following Itumbi's abduction, a campaign of misinformation intensified by some individuals and bloggers affording the criminals ample time to perform their heinous acts.
“It is clear from the intensity of this disinformation that Itumbi's abduction and torture was orchestrated and resourced from highly-placed quarters,” they said.
"We demand Impartial and independent investigation and President to constitute a commission of inquiry into the existence of a criminal squad targeting political players," added the MPs.
Murkomen said they intend to write to special rapporteur on human rights over the incident and many others. “What is unjust here is unjust all over the world,”he said.
Ichungwa said Itumbi had told him from his hospital bed he will be unbroken despite his attack.
“He is thankful that he is alive despite some plans to assassinate him. If they thought they will break him then they are in a rude shock. He will continue,”said the MP.
He claimed the incident was done by state agents and that some of them were helping in tracking down the whereabouts of Itumbi soon after it was reported.
Itumbi was Thursday abducted as he left a barbershop in Thindigua, Kiambu County. He was picked up by men and bundled into a car.
The triangulation of Itumbi's mobile phone signal tracked it to Kigwa in Ridgeways, but he was not found there.
At 11:22pm, Itumbi’s brother David Itumbi, received a call from a number belonging to a Mr Makokha, a taxi driver who had found Itumbi limping in the Lucky Summer area near Kasarani stadium.
He had fractured both his two legs and his left hand. He had injuries on most of his body parts when he was found.
He was naked at the time and he told the taxi driver he thought he was in Eldoret.
His left eye was bleeding an indication it was injured. His mobile phone was missing then. His brother David said Itumbi told them the people who abducted and beat him up claimed to be police officers. Police have denied knowledge of the claims.
“My brother has been badly beaten. We thank God that he is alive. On his own account he was arrested by police and beaten and tortured. This is the state we found him in,” said David.
His abductors changed to different cars as they drove around with him. They communicated on phones saying they were on way to Eldoret which made him think it was true.
Itumbi was later taken to Uhai Neema hospital in Kasarani area for attention and put on a drip and later moved to Nairobi West.
Police spokesperson Bruno Shioso said investigations have since been launched.
Police in a statement released by spokesperson Bruno Shioso said investigations have been launched.
“We appeal to members of the public to be patient during the investigations and should therefore desist from speculation,” said Shioso.
“We further appeal to members of the public who may have information regarding the incident to volunteer and report to any police station or through our hotline number 999,112 or 0800 722203,” added the spokesperson.