DCI refutes Gachagua’s claims on fuel fiasco, says they are malicious

The Director of Criminal Investigations, Mohamed Amin/HANDOUT

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has dismissedallegations made by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during an Easter Sunday service at AIPCA Gakoe Church in Gatundu North, Kiambu County.

In a statement, the DCI said the claims made by Gachagua regarding recoveries and exhibits in the ongoing probe into the suspected irregular procurement of fuel cargo by the Ministry of Energy and Petroleumlack any factual or evidentiary basis and appear aimed at undermining public confidence in the law enforcement agency.

The DCI said that any evidence or information relating to the matter is being handled professionally and in accordance with the Service Standing Orders and Kenyan law.

“The allegations levelled against the DCI in the course of Rigathi Gachagua's speech are false, unfounded and malicious. The claims he made concerning recoveries and exhibits in regard to the ongoing probe into the suspected irregular procurement of fuel cargo by the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum lack any factual or evidentiary basis and are clearly intended to undermine public confidence in a key national law enforcement institution,” DCI said.

“Any exhibits, evidence or information that has come to the attention of the DCI in relation to the matter in question is being handled strictly and professionally as provided for in our Service Standing Orders and the laws of Kenya.”

The DCI said it is actively reviewing the full remarks made by Gachagua, particularly those delivered in the Gikuyu language, to determine whether any statements may constitute offences under the National Cohesion and Integration Act or other relevant provisions of the Penal Code, including hate speech, ethnic contempt, or incitement.

“The DCI remains a professional, independent and impartial agency guided solely by the law, the Constitution and the highest standards of integrity. No amount of political rhetoric or attacks will distract us from our constitutional mandate of investigating serious crimes and upholding justice for all Kenyans,” the statement read.

“The DCI will not hesitate to take appropriate action where the law has been broken, irrespective of the status or position of any individual.”

The agency also urged Kenyans to remain calm and reject divisive rhetoric. “Easter is a time of hope and unity, let us not allow political opportunism to sow seeds of discord,” it said.

In his speech, Gachagua dismissed the arrests of senior leaders in the fuel ministry and investigations as politically motivated.

He further named senior officials and the DCI of involvement in the fuel scandal.

Gachagua claimed the crackdown was not about accountability, but rather linked to business rivalries within the fuel sector.