DCI in trouble after posting photos of arrested MP

Nakuru East Member of Parliament David Gikaria has accused the Directorate of Criminal Investigations of unlawfully posting photos of his arrest.

In a submission before the courts, the legislator accused the DCI of posting his mug shots on their official Twitter handle despite a court order prohibiting them from doing so.

Gikaria was arrested on charges of conspiracy to defraud as well as illegally taking possession of several parcels of land.

"The accused is still innocent unless proven guilty. It is not upon the DCI to judge the accused and circulate his photographs taken on the day he was arrested," Gikaria's lawyer Lawrence Karanja told the court.

Chief Magistrate Josephat Kalo directed the MP to register a formal complaint with the court and provide court orders that barred DCI from circulating photos of suspects.

"Submit the photographs claimed to have been circulated on social media plus other evidence," the Magistrate ordered.

Cannot raise Bail amount

The MP's lawyer also told the court that the accused could not raise the bail amount he was ordered to pay.

"According to counsel of the accused, the accused is unable to secure the cash bail of Sh1 million and that has caused him to spend his night in custody," court papers read in part.

Magistrate Kalo reduced the bail requirement to Sh300,000 stating that "Cash bail is not a punishment but is meant to secure an accused person’s attendance in court".