This archive report was first published on 2 September 2019.
On July 2, 2019, Samwel Gateri Wanjiru, a prosecution witness in the Dennis Itumbi case, was arrested and had his cellphones, national identification card, and driving license seized by officers.
According to his application filed at Milimani Law Courts, Gateri was forced to sign a witness statement whose contents he does not know, and he fears the prosecution might use the statement against Itumbi.
Gateri, a member of the Tanga Tanga WhatsApp group, claims he was threatened by officers who told him they would execute him if he failed to confirm a telephone conversation between Deputy President William Ruto and Itumbi.
Chief Magistrate Martha Mutuku directed the matter to be mentioned on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, during a pre-trial conference.
Early August, the Tanga Tanga WhatsApp group admins were asked to report to DCI headquarters in connection with Itumbi's case, and their phones were confiscated and released after hours of questioning.
