I was threatened by disbanded SSU for supporting Ruto - Savula

Kakamega deputy governor Ayub Savula has said he was threatened by the Special Service Unit (SSU) that President William Ruto ordered disbanded a week ago.

The former Lugari MP said that the president was justified to order disbandment of the unit.

“Officers from the unit threatened me that they will take me where I wanted to go and Ngong forest is just near here. They told me that they will deal with me if I didn't support Azimio. It was a nasty experience” he said.

“It’s true DCI had a squad that was eliminating people. We want thorough investigations carried out and if there is anyone who killed anyone justice be done,” he added.

He said that SSU officers threatened him to stay in Azimio or be dealt with.

He said that the unit was misused politically.

Savula said officers from the DCI arrested him together with his two wives in 2017 and slapped him with fictitious charges. 

He said they later asked him to abandon Ruto’s camp (then deputy president) to be set free.

Savula said Kenyans want a police service that respects the construction and protects property and life and not forced disappearances.

He was speaking when he toured the Lugari Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) in Mautuma on Tuesday. He was accompanied by area MP Nabii Nabwera.

President Ruto ordered the disbandment of the special unit that operates under the command of DCI headquarters, alleged to be behind several cases of extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances of both citizens and foreign nationals. 

He ordered investigations into the activities of the unit.

The unit was created in 1999 to replace Special Crime Prevention Unit.

Savula said that though the police were supposed to protect Kenyans, they had turned into a brutal force instead of a service.

Savula also supported the president in scrapping the education policy on the delocalisation of head teachers.

He said that the policy had led to family breakups by separating spouses.

“We are asking the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to fully implement the president’s directive to give teachers peace,” he said.