Fresh claims have emerged from within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), where officers attached to the Operations Support Unit (OSU) are calling for an independent investigation into the management of the unit.
The complaints target the officer commanding the unit, Zachary Kiago Kariuki, with several officers alleging financial irregularities, intimidation and abuse of authority. The claims have not been independently verified.
According to the whistleblower, the problems began after Kariuki was appointed to lead the unit in 2022. Officers claim morale has steadily declined, with many saying they feel frustrated, demoralized and afraid to speak out for fear of being transferred or victimized.
One of the biggest complaints concerns operational allowances. The whistleblower alleges that officers deployed on assignments are often forced to use their own money for fuel, accommodation and meals, only to wait months before being reimbursed. The source claims some officers are never paid at all.
The complainant further alleges that travel claims are manipulated, with payments allegedly being made for assignments that never took place. According to the source, the money is said to benefit a small group of officers who are considered close to the unit commander.
The whistleblower claims the officers who allegedly receive preferential treatment include the commander's personal assistant, Sergeant Githinji, together with officers identified as Otiambo, Ronald Chemosit, Mwangi, Kosibon Nyaga and Njoroge. These allegations have not been verified and the named officers should be given an opportunity to respond.
The source says officers who question delayed payments or seek clarification about their allowances are allegedly threatened with transfers. Some are said to have already been moved from the unit after raising concerns.
The complaint goes beyond finances. The whistleblower claims officers are routinely denied permission to travel home and spend time with their families, even after lengthy deployments. According to the source, the situation has placed immense pressure on marriages and family life, with some officers saying they have watched their relationships deteriorate after repeated requests for leave were turned down.
The whistleblower also alleges that the officer commanding the unit frequently boasts that he is untouchable because of his connections within senior police leadership. Those claims have not been independently verified.
The source further claims to possess evidence relating to suspected bribery and money laundering involving a civilian allegedly used to receive and move funds. No evidence has been reviewed by this publication, and these allegations remain unproven.
The Operations Support Unit is one of the specialized units within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, which is headed by Director Mohamed Amin. The DCI falls under the National Police Service, led by Inspector General Douglas Kanja, with overall policy responsibility resting with the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, headed by Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen. Allegations involving corruption by public officers may fall within the investigative mandate of the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC).
If the claims are supported by evidence, they would raise serious questions about the management of public resources, the welfare of officers and the integrity of operations within one of Kenya's key investigative units.
Below is the complaint received from one of the officers.
Hello Cyprian. Kindly hide my identity.
There is this unit in the DCI called the Operations Support Unit. The officer in charge is Zachary Kiago Kariuki. Officers are suffering under his leadership.
He was appointed to head the unit in 2022. Since then, officers have allegedly been denied their rightful operational payments, while only a small circle around him is said to benefit.
Officers use their own money during operations and wait for months to be paid. Some are never paid at all. Anyone who asks about their money is allegedly threatened with transfer, and several officers have already been transferred after raising concerns.
Officers are also allegedly denied permission to visit their families, leaving many homes under strain.
I have evidence that I am willing to share regarding alleged bribery and financial dealings involving the officer. I appeal to the EACC, the DCI Director, the Inspector General and the Ministry of Interior to investigate these claims because many officers are suffering.