This archive report was first published on 6 July 2019.
On July 3, 2019, Dennis Itumbi, the secretary of digital media at State House, was arrested outside City Hall and taken to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters along Kiambu Road.
He was later transferred to Muthaiga Police Station, where he was supposed to be held in a cell. However, in a shocking turn of events, Itumbi and his friends were allowed to hold a party-like visit in the cells, which lasted until close to midnight.
During the visit, Itumbi and his friends took selfies, which were later circulated on social media. The photos showed Itumbi seated at the farthest end with TV journalist Jacque Maribe, while other friends surrounded them. A Red Bull can and a bottle of water were also seen on a nearby table.
The incident has sparked outrage, with investigators following the matter insisting that Itumbi's visitors need to be questioned. 'They were inside the cells, how they ended up there is clear. They were allowed (in). But there is need of having them (to) tell us why they opted to take such a move,' a source privy to the investigations said.
According to the Police Act, Itumbi's friends risk imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding Sh20,000 or both if found guilty of disorderly conduct inside a police building.
The Muthaiga Police Station Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Alphonse Kemengua has since been interdicted over the incident. Nairobi Police Boss Philip Ndolo has also stated that the person or persons who allowed Itumbi's friends into the restricted area are of interest in this matter.
