Francis Gaitho has disclosed that he will present himself to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters along Kiambu Road on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at 2 pm.
This comes after the National Police Service (NPS) revealed that they were looking for him following the early morning mistaken arrest of veteran journalist Macharia Gaitho.
“I will be presenting myself at DCI Headquarters, Mazingira House Kiambu Road at 2 pm today,” Francis Gaitho revealed.
He further said that he is currently consulting with his legal team on how to proceed with the matter adding that he is a law-abiding citizen.
“Thank you for all the messages of concern. I’m truly humbled. As a law-abiding citizen, I’m currently in touch with my legal counsel on how to proceed,” Francis Gaitho noted.
I will be presenting myself at DCI Headquarters, Mazingira House Kiambu Road at 2pm today.
Thank you all for your concern.
— Francis Gaitho (@FGaitho237) July 17, 2024
Mistaken identity
The National Police Service was forced to make a public clarification following the dramatic arrest of a veteran journalist Macharia Gaitho.
In a statement shared on socials, the police disclosed that the apprehension of the journalist was a case of mistaken identity adding that the arrest was meant for Francis Gaitho.
“The National Police Service would like to clarify to the public that this morning, we arrested journalist Macharia Gaitho in a case of mistaken identity, meant for the arrest of Francis Gaitho who is our subject of investigation. We reiterate that as a Service, we do not target journalists in any way, and today’s incident is highly regrettable,” NPS stated.
“The National Police Service remains committed to working with the media while discharging our mandate of promoting accountability and transparency.”
Speaking to the media after his release, Gaitho said that he was blocked by a civilian car shortly after he left his home and two other men opened the door and tried to move him out of the car.
“This morning, shortly after I left home around 8:05 am, I was blocked by a civilian car. As I was waiting for it to move out, some two other men came on my left side where I was sitting (since) my son was driving, opened the door and tried to move me out. They did not identify themselves so I refused to get off the car and instructed my son to drive away,” the journalist explained.