The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has responded to the Deputy President William Ruto and his allies’ assertion that it lacks the legal backing to pursue economic crimes.
In a statement posted on the social media handle Monday, the DCI maintained that investigating economic crimes falls under its ambit.
Dr Ruto Sunday said the directorate should cede the role of investigating economic crimes to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
The DCI notice on the Police Act capturing its role also comes a day after the Deputy President accused it of being sucked into a political scheme.
“The current functions of the directorate as provided for under the National Police service Act, 2011 include (to) collect and provide criminal intelligence, undertake Investigations on serious crimes including homicide, narcotics crimes, human trafficking, money laundering, terrorism, economic crimes, piracy, organised crimes, and cybercrime,” said the DCI.
“(They also include) to maintain law and order, detect and prevent crimes, apprehend offenders, maintain criminal records, (and to) conduct forensic analysis.”
The DP’s allies have argued that the DCI, which is headed by George Kinoti, lacks the backing of law to investigate economic crimes, adding that it should hand over investigations to the EACC.
At the weekend, the DP’s allies piled pressure on the DCI with Belgut MP Nelson Koech claiming the office lacks the legal backing to investigate graft.
“The drafters of the Constitution were very clear in their mind when they dissociated DCI from EACC. Today, we declare that we no longer have confidence in the office of the DCI. We want all economic matters to be taken over by EACC,” Mr Koech was quoted saying.
Kipkelion West MP Hillary Koskei said the DCI did not have the professional capacity to fight “complex matters” while Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot was reported arguing that investigating economic crimes was beyond Mr Kinoti’s capacity.
“The constitutionally mandated body to fight corruption is the EACC. The work of DCI is to investigate other crimes,” said Mr Cheruiyot.