Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen has given an assurance that the case allegedly linking four filmmakers to the BBC ‘Blood Parliament” story will be impartial.
According to the CS, he has full confidence in the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the court to ensure the process is above board.
“No brief has been extended to me. The DCI, courts and the DPP will dispense with this matter as stipulated in law. That’s why they are created for checks and balances,” the CS said.
The CS denied knowledge of the process of the case.
The four were granted anticipatory bail in the false publication and cyberbullying case and risk facing a 10-year jail term or being slapped with a fine of Sh20 million.
“This matter is not within my domain but the DCI. Whether they are culpable or not, our work is not to interfere with the independence of the DCI but to facilitate operation matters, “ he said.
“In the absence of a written submission from the DCI on the matter, I don’t have any information. If and when I am required to account to Parliament as the oversight body, I will present a written submission accordingly.“
The CS was addressing journalists after a security briefing meeting at the Tharaka Nithi county commissioner’s office.
He was responding to concerns by the families of the suspects pleading leniency.
He was accompanied by DIGs Eliud Lagat (KPS) and Gilbert Masengeli (APS) as well as Eastern Regional Commissioner Paul Rotich and Regional Police Commander Charles Naibei.
Also present were Regional Administration Police Commander Lusweti Barasa, Tharaka-Nithi County Commissioner David Gitonga, and other senior officials from the ministry.