Big Blow to DCI boss George Kinoti over Purity Mwambia's Guns Galore expose on Citizen TV

 

DCI boss George Kinoti.

The Kenya Editors association criticise the Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti for summoning the editorial leadership of Royal Media Services over #GunsGalore expose the company aired revealing how police hired out guns to criminals.

In a report on Wednesday, Kenya Editors Guilt president Churchill Otieno said that the warrants that Kinoti assigned to Royal Media Service following an investigative feature ‘Silaha Mtaani’/ ‘Guns Galore’ that was aired by Citizen TV on April 18, 2021, are illegal.

“As far as we can tell, there is no criminal probe against Royal Media Services’ editors and reporters over the production. The Police Service should therefore employ its energy, time and resources to investigating possible criminal activities within its ranks and assuring that the culprits are brought to justice,” Otieno said.

The association advised Royal Media Services to disregard the summonses and to limit engagement with the Police Service and only hand over any police stores it may have procured in the course of investigations.


It added that if the Police Service is unable or unwilling to probe itself, it will grant the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to take up the matter or appoint an independent external investigator.

The media association also added that media cannot be held criminally liable for anything done in keeping with its role as a public watchdog.


“…neither can it be compelled to betray its sources, provide advance information to any government agency on ongoing assignments, or seek permission to carry out its work.”


The program exposed the illegal sale and renting of firearms, uniform, and handcuffs by members of the National Police Service (NPS) and other security agencies to criminal elements.


This comes a day after the Media Council of Kenya denounced Kinoti following his account criticising Citizen TV.


"While the council recognises the role of the DCI, it expects that the process is geared towards investigating the matter and not violating freedom of expression, press freedom and access to information as provided for in the Constitution," MCK said.