- They were told to hand over their guns and other gadgets they have been using for further analysis.
- Officials said the move will enhance ongoing investigations on how the three went missing and dozens of other cases which are pending.
An elite squad of the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) was Saturday disbanded after it was linked to the disappearance of two Indians and their driver.
The DCI’s Special Service Unit (SSU) was disbanded with immediate effect following a directive from the acting Inspector General of police Noor Gabow.
“All officers serving in the disbanded unit have been recalled to DCI headquarters for further instructions,” said a statement from the DCI.
They were told to hand over their guns and other gadgets they have been using for further analysis.
Officials said the move will enhance ongoing investigations on how the three went missing and dozens of other cases which are pending.
This also comes as the National Police Service prepares for reorganization under the new administration.
Officials said Gabow had met President William Ruto and briefed him on the developments of the probe and the president gave the go-ahead of the disbanding.
The president said he wanted to know who did what, why and when in the matter, and others.
“More sweeping changes are on the way on this issue and Gabow has the blessing of the president to take any necessary measures needed,” said a source aware of the developments.
The police probe has linked the squad to the disappearance of the three men in July 2022.
Some officers from the unit have so far been questioned over the incident. They deny the claims.
The squad is one of those under DCI and has been credited for solving a number of complicated crimes including robbery, murder, fraud and abduction.
It was revamped from the defunct Special Crimes Prevention Unit and named SSU in December 2019 when the then Flying Squad was also disbanded by Kinoti.
Police are holding two men in connection to the disappearance of two Indian bloggers and their driver since July 23.
Mohamed Zaid Sami Kidwai, Zulfiqar Ahmad Khan and their driver Nicodemus Mwania Mwange were abducted near Ole Sereni and driven away in an unmarked car.
Their car was blocked and armed men picked them up before vanishing.
Their car was found at the scene.
Police investigating the case arrested and produced Edward Kamau and Fabian Mjomba Koshn in court.
They were granted 21 days to detain them as they investigate the matter. A mention of the matter is scheduled for October 17.
The two were arrested on suspicion a car they co-own was used as a getaway vehicle to take away the three.
They had a car hire business in South B.
They told police they are ICT experts who worked for two different companies.
In court, police said their car was placed at the scene where the three were abducted.
This was through a review of CCTV footage.
The investigators also said the two and others may be connected to the offence and that they could be government officials and associated with state officials.
Further, the police said they believe the two worked in cahoots with serving police officers and asked the court not to free them as this is likely to interfere with ongoing investigations.
“From the time the applicant took over investigations, and in the course of gathering evidence, it has faced interference from serving public servants including police officers,” says the court documents.
To date, the papers say the whereabouts of the victims are not known but efforts to trace them are in progress.
The investigators say the investigation is complex and requires more time and collaboration with other government agencies including India where Sami and Khan hail from.
The court granted the police 21 days on October 7 to hold the two as investigations go on.
For now, police are investigating a crime of abduction and conspiracy to commit a felony.
Preliminary findings show the men may have been picked up and driven to Eldoret for an unknown mission.
Their mobile phones were last picked up in Eldoret two days after the incident.
The two Indians are said to have been part of a team that had come to Kenya to join an IT team for Ruto to run the election campaigns.
Officials say Khan, 48, has an illustrious media career as he last worked as the Chief Operating officer of Balaji Telefilms.
Prior to that, he was also the Managing Director of the OTT platform HOOQ and the Business Head and Chief Revenue Officer of Eros Now.
He started his media career as a trainee with Star India and grew to be the Senior Vice President of Advertising Sales where he managed several channels like Star Plus, Star Gold, Star Sports, National Geographic, Chanel V.