Francis Gaitho Family issues statement regarding to his arrest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

“On behalf of Francis Gaitho, we as his family and friends would like to convey our sincere gratitude to citizens of goodwill in Kenya and across the world for the solidarity and compassion they displayed after the harrowing experience he underwent at the hands of the Kenyan Police.

At around 8pm on Tuesday 22nd 2024, two vehicles with civilian number plates forcefully gained entrance to the apartment block that he has been residing in.

They compelled the caretaker to show them to the exact apartment he was at, and subdued him into knocking the door for him to open for them.

Upon realizing that it was them, he quickly retreated to his bedroom and alerted his family members and loved ones that he was under attack from the police. He also posted a series of tweets confirming that house was surrounded.

How did they know his location?

Well since he’s been changing locations ever since the protests begun, the police have tried tracking him to no avail.

But on that material day, he needed to make a payment to a vendor which only prompts Safaricom MPesa numbers. He quickly inserted his Safaricom sim-card for two minutes to effect the transaction and removed it.

One hour later, the lady seen on the CCTV videos accompanying DCI officers to his home arrived, pretending to be scouting for a house. She’s the one who paved the way for her colleagues brutal and violent intrusion by providing them with information.

What did they do?

They broke down his door padlock with a vehicle wheel-spanner, brutally assaulted Francis Gaitho with kicks and blows, before finally handcuffing him. They also forcefully took two mobile phones and one laptop.

They then frogmarched him without shoes to a waiting vehicle, bundled him to the boot, covered his head with a hoodie before driving him to Kamukunji Police Station where he spent the night.

He was the arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts on charges of skipping court mentions, an issue caused by miscommunication on the part of his lawyers.

The judges reinstated his bond terms and withdrew his arrest warrants upon hearing these submissions through lawyer John Khaminwa.

Due to the fact that the police confiscated all his equipment in two separate raids, he’s hamstrung, unable to resume normal communication and asks us to convey his sincere appreciation for the love and support you’ve shown him. He doesn’t take it for granted”.