DCI: We're sorry for posting misleading pictures
Investigations by Taifa Leo showed that some of the photos used were from long ago and cannot be whatsoever linked to the riots.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has apologised for using dated images claiming they were cases of lawlessness that happened during the Azimio anti-government protests on Monday, March 13, 2023.
Through their official social handles, DCI appeared to blame the general public for the mix-up by saying that most of the photos they used were sent to them through a hashtag they had created online.
Through the hashtag #FichuakwaDCI, they have been asking Kenyans to share tips and information from Kenyans regarding various criminal activities including from the protests.
“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations wishes to unreservedly apologise to the public for the mix-up of images in yesterday’s communication, which was meant to appeal for information regarding the whereabouts of criminal suspects involved in Monday’s illegal demonstrations,” DCI tweeted.
“The mix-up was partly occasioned by the overwhelming information that we had received via the #FichuakwaDCI online platform regarding the reported incidents of violence. While we work towards rectifying the same and maintaining public confidence in our operations, the Directorate continues to appeal to the public for information regarding the whereabouts of the suspects whose images appear below.”
A reverse search done by Taifa Leo newspaper revealed that most of the photos used by DCI were old photos and have no relation to the Azimio protests.
For instance, one of the photos that captured a man in a white hat was taken on January 17, 2008, in Kibera. The photo is owned by Getty images and was taken during the post-2007 election violence.
Another photo is of a group of people captured jumping a burning log, the photo was taken by Al Jazeera in May 2015 in Burundi.
From the 12 photos shared another one also captures a group of youth jumping behind burning tyres.
A reverse search revealed that the photo was taken by German media DW on august 16, 2022.
The Directorate has received flak from Kenyans for the misleading photos.
