Allies of President William Ruto have in the recent past accused the former Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti of orchestrating extra-judicial killings.
For instance, President William Ruto’s digital strategist Dennis Itumbi linked Kinoti to the disappearance of the two Indian nationals.
As such, a section of the leaders allied to the Kenya Kwanza political wing has been calling for the arrest and prosecution of George Kinoti.
But on Thursday, November 3, Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party presidential candidate Raila Odinga came to the defense of Kinoti.
The former Prime Minister who was addressing journalists in Nairobi termed as a ‘political witch-hunt’ the ongoing investigations into extrajudicial killings from President William Ruto’s administration.
“We are however firmly opposed to the current trend, directed by a vindictive regime and president that seems to be pursuing a personal vendetta against specific current and past State officers in the pretext of pursuing extra-judicial executions,” Raila said.
The ODM leader accused William Ruto of personalizing the matter due to his long-standing grudge against the former DCI boss George Kinoti.
“William Ruto’s grudge against George Kinoti and the DCI started way before elections. Ruto appears to believe that the coming of the UDA regime is a perfect mandate for him to punish the officers he long had a grudge against. We are here to say no,” he added.
Raila said they fully support the government’s efforts in investigating extrajudicial killings and that they will not allow Kinoti to be targeted in the process.
“As a party, we believe in the sanctity of life of every Kenyan. We believe in the rule of law. We believe in due process … Some, cases of real or suspected extrajudicial executions need to be investigated and those responsible be punished,” he added.
