This archive report was first published on 4 July 2019.
On July 4, 2019, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) sought to record statements from 256 members of a WhatsApp group that Dennis Itumbi shared an alleged assassination letter with.
During a court session in Nairobi, the Prosecution indicated that this was the reason why they wanted the accused detained at Kamukunji Police Station for 14 days.
Itumbi's defence team, however, opposed this, saying the rights of the accused must be upheld.
They argued that the Prosecution was only seeking to detain the accused because he might interfere with the investigations, despite there being no evidence of him reaching out to witnesses since the investigations began.
Itumbi's lawyers also noted that he did not create the Tangatanga WhatsApp group and was not an administrator, but rather a member.
They questioned why the DCI had yet to record statements from the 256 WhatsApp group members, despite investigating the matter since June 20.
Itumbi was arrested on Wednesday afternoon within the Nairobi city centre by detectives from the Flying Squad.
He is alleged to be linked to a letter that was circulated alleging an assassination plot, along with another aide of DP William Ruto.
