Metro

Kenyan police charges four officers over disappearance of three people, including two Indian nationals

Published

2 years ago

October 25, 2022

Four Kenyan police officers who were part of the notorious Special Service Unit (SSU), linked to extrajudicial killings and other crimes, were on Tuesday, charged over the disappearance of three men whose bodies have never beeThe victims, two Indian nationals and their driver, a Kenyan, were reportedly abducted and murdered by the SSU team in July and their bodies were never found.

The officers, according to media reports in Nairobi, were part of the dreaded SSU that was shut down last week by President William Ruto over accusations of involvement in a spate of abuses, abductions and violent murders.

“The accused are charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and abduction over the disappearance in July of two men, both Indian nationals, who were part of Ruto’s campaign team.

“Their driver, a Kenyan, also vanished and has not been found.

“This investigation is complex and requires more time and collaboration with other government agencies including India,” state prosecutors said in court papers.

The prosecutors also told the court they had “faced interference and threats to life from serving public servants including police officers” since taking on the case.

A Nairobi-based civil society group, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), said in a statement on Tuesday that it had begun investigations and an audit of the SSU “as a matter of priority.

“As a watchdog established by parliament to keep a check on a powerful institution whose reputation also ranks among Kenya’s most corrupt, IPOA is determined to begin an extensive investigation into the activities of members of the force and a total audit of the SSU,” it said.

The SSU, which was formed 20 years ago, was disbanded by Ruto last Thursday folowing public outcry over their activities and the controversy surrounding the disappearance of the three men, and their officers being linked to a string of crimes.

“We can efficiently and effectively suppress crime, monitor, disrupt and apprehend criminals without abducting, torturing, killing or causing citizens to disappear,” Ruto had said before disbanding the unit.

“It is time to retire these terrible tactics and professionalise our criminal justice system,” the President added.

Related Topics:Abduction Featured Kenya Murder Police president William Ruto

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Metro

‘Rights must go with responsibilities,’ traditional leader cautions on use of social media

Published

12 hours ago

May 8, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Mansa, Luapula Province: Annette Katema, the Head Woman of Chitumbi Village in Mansa District, voices concerns about the detrimental effects of irresponsible social media usage.

In a recent interview with Zambia Monitor, Katema argued that social media platforms were contributing to delinquency among the youth, particularly platforms like WhatsApp, TikTok, and Facebook.

“Children are being exposed to inappropriate content on WhatsApp, which is harmful to their upbringing. Social media platforms are fostering moral decay,” remarked Head Woman Chitumbi.

She stated that this trend undermined the cultural values that were essential for societal cohesion.

Katema expressed reservations about the prevalence of nudity and offensive language on social media, calling for stricter moderation.

She advocated for proactive measures to steer young people away from harmful online content, suggesting the revitalization of traditional recreational activities like playhouses and sports.

“Instead of solely relying on punitive measures, let’s invest in creating positive alternatives to counter the allure of social media,” Katema proposed.

She urged the youth to uphold traditional values alongside their digital rights, stating the importance of responsible behavior online.

“We should not lose respect in the name of digital rights because rights should go with responsibilities,” the traditional leader said.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.

Metro

President Tinubu finally returns to Nigeria amid speculations over his absence

Published

15 hours ago

May 8, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

After spending the last two weeks out of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has finally returned to the country.

Tinubu, who returned to Nigeria on Wednesday morning, had departed the country two weeks ago, on April 23, for The Netherlands for a three-day official visit, honouring an invitation from the Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte.

While in the European country, Tinubu participated in the Nigerian-Dutch Business and Investment Forum, which brought together heads of conglomerates and organisations in both countries.

After his engagements in The Netherlands, Tinubu, according to his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, proceeded to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend a World Economic Forum Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development which held between April 28–29.

However, after the summit, the president did not return to the country as he was said to have proceeded to London for a private visit which gave room to speculations over his health.

The Nigerian Presidency did not also help matters as there was no official statement on the President’s engagements, nor were they willing to douse the tension created by his absence, leading to Nigerians raising posers with the hashtag #WhereisTinubu.

In a tweet on Tuesday evening, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had revealed that Tinubu would be back in the country on Wednesday.

“President Bola Tinubu, along with his aides, will return to Nigeria tomorrow from Europe,” he had written.

The recent foreign trip was Tinubu’s 20th since assuming office on May 29, 2023, effectively logging 96 days abroad, which has made him one of Africa’s most globe-trotting leaders.

In his less than one year in office, President Tinubu has visited Paris, France (thrice); London, the United Kingdom (twice); Bissau, Guinea-Bissau (twice); Nairobi, Kenya; Porto Norvo, Benin Republic, New Delhi, India.

He has also taken a trip to Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; New York, the United States of America; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (twice); Berlin, Germany; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Dakar, Senegal; Doha, Qatar; and The Hague, The Netherlands.