President Ruto Dismisses Raila’s Call for Foreign Agencies to Probe Extra-Judicial Killings

President Ruto has dismissed opposition leader Raila Odinga’s call to involve foreign agencies such as the FBI to solve cases of extra-judicial killings in Kenya.

On Thursday, Odinga urged the government to tap foreign detectives to investigate unresolved murders including those of businessman Jacob Juma, IEBC ICT director Chris Msando, ICC witness Mishack Yebei and Sergeant Kipyegon Kinei.

He criticized Ruto’s administration over the ongoing investigation into extrajudicial killings, saying it had turned into a politically-motivated witch-hunt against former DCI director George Kinoti and a few other officers.

“We are opposed to the current trend directed by our vindictive regime and the president that seems to be pursuing a personal vendetta against specific current and past state officers in the pretext of pursuing extra-judicial executions,” said Odinga.

“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. We are opposed to extrajudicial executions in our country because our supporters have been the greatest victims over the years. We believe that all, not some, cases of real or suspected extrajudicial executions need to be investigated and those responsible be punished,” he added.

In a rejoinder, President Ruto said the country does not need foreign agencies to investigate extra-judicial killings and do away with murderous units of the police force.

“We don’t need advice from Scotland Yard to remove and disband the murderous units in our police force. We just need to respect our Constitution and do the right thing,” Ruto said at Supreme Court during the launch of the State of the Judiciary and the Administration of Justice report.

President Ruto recently disbanded the DCI’s Special Service Unit (SSU) which he accused of being involved in abduction, disappearance, and murder cases.