DCI clashes with duty officers over sexual abuse case shared on Twitter

"Two suspects have been arrested and remanded as investigations continue," said Kigumo sub-county police boss Jane Nyakeruma.

The victim was treated at Maragua Level Four Hospital and discharged, she said.

She said she was surprised to see the DCI on its Twitter page report a similar assault incident that it said occurred on December 13 at around 1am.

"Of course, that is not true. The report on the DCI Twitter account indicated that the man cited was 41 years old and was admitted to Murang'a Level Five Hospital while two suspects have since been arrested and are being held at the Muthithi Police Station," she said.

Ms Nyakeruma said her officers did not record any such incident that night and no suspects accused of sexual assault were arrested and held at the Muthithi station on that date.

Collision path

Enquires at the Muthithi station did not yield any results to corroborate the DCI Twitter report.

"The two suspects that we had in custody were in relation to an incident on December 6. We do not have suspects related to (such) crime on December 13," said an officer at the station, who showed Nation.Africa occurrence book entries for December 13 and 14 to confirm his claim.

The officer wanted proof of an OB number to support the reported December 13 incident, complainant and names of the newly reported suspects arrested.

The officers accused the DCI of putting general duty officers on a collision path with the media and other stakeholders.

"We have been receiving calls from media outlets wanting us to confirm the incident...we are being accused of a cover-up and a lapse in duty…," the officer said.

Ms Nyakeruma said the December 6 incident was isolated and the first to be reported in the area. She blamed it on alcoholism and drug abuse.

Kigumo sub-county DCI boss Stephen Hamisi said he was only aware of the December 6 incident, saying the DCI Twitter page is managed from Nairobi.