Uhuru Calls Out DCI Chief George Kinoti over Plans to Reopen 2007/2008 Post-Election Violence Cases

President Kenyatta has hit out at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over plans to revive the 2007/2008 post-election violence cases.

Kenyatta, who spoke on Wednesday during the launch of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) signature collection, said the move amounts to reopening old wounds.

“I am not in agreement with those who are trying to resurrect the 2007/8 post-election violence cases. That was dealt with,” said Kenyatta.

He added: “You don’t know what kind of a problem you are starting. You have to think before you talk. You have to think before you act. We don’t want war. Some of us know the benefits of peace and the only way available is to resolve the existing issues through constitutional and legal means.”

On Monday, DCI head George Kinoti announced they had recorded a total of 118 cases related to the post-election chaos that led to the killing of over 1,000 people.

“We have registered around 72 cases from those whose wives, husbands or children were killed…We have recorded cases of some who were driven out of their homes…We have 118 cases in total registered today with complainants and witnesses,” he said during a media briefing at DCI headquarters in Nairobi.

Kinoti’s remarks triggered protest from a section of political leaders led by Deputy President William Ruto, who claimed the move is intended to create tribal divisions.

“The provocative incitement to ethnic hate/division intended by the resurrection of PEV is an evil attempt to resuscitate the tribe project destroyed by the hustler movements’ realization that poverty and unemployment deliberately bred by poor leadership is our problem, not our tribes,” said Ruto.

On Tuesday, Kinoti issued another statement saying he was misquoted and there were no intentions to reopen the cases.

“My address yesterday was in no way intended to mean that we are going to open completed cases which were investigated and closed. It was an acknowledgment of concerns raised by Kenyans, to assure the public of the commitment of the DCI to investigate all reported threats to security and to sensitize the public on the need for peaceful co-existence,” said Kinoti.