NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 29- Who abducted Dennis Itumbi and subsequently tortured him?
It is a question police say they are seeking an answer for, even as a section of politicians accuse the state of Itumbi’s woes.
Deputy President William Ruto has now joined the debate and says his attackers were people “who should have been there to protect him and us all.”
Did the Deputy President implicate the police for the attack?
The Deputy President made the remarks on Wednesday, a day after he visited Itumbi in hospital.
“Spent time with Comrade DI (Dennis Itumbi) last evening (Tuesday), saw his heavily bandaged arm and legs, the result of torture by people who should have been there to protect him and us all,” he said in a Tweet.
“They have now turned violent and fatalistic after all the negative narratives, threats, and blackmail against us failed.”
The Deputy President said his digital strategist is strong and “in very high spirits.”
According to the doctors at Nairobi West Hospital, DP Ruto said, Itumbi will be confined to the hospital bed for a month.
“Like Dennis, we all must be strong knowing that in a few months we will defeat impunity, entitlement, kiburi na madharau (pride and despise) and free our nation for good,” he said while making reference to the forthcoming presidential election.
He is seeking to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta, to become the fifth President.
Leaders in Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance party have accused police alongside senior government officials of being behind Itumbi’s attack that happened on December 23.
He was leaving a barbershop when he was abducted by three men, all clad in a balaclava.
Police headquarters have since denied having a role in the despicable act.
His abductors changed to different cars as they drove around with him.
The abductors had handcuffed him from behind and tied his legs with a rope.
The men confiscated his mobile phone during the 3 pm incident.
Itumbi is known for his Hustlers Nation Investigative Bureau- a platform he uses to root for DP Ruto while exposing ‘facts’.
Police headquarters say investigations are ongoing, to establish who was behind the incident.
“We appeal to members of the public to be patient during the investigations and should therefore desist from speculation,” National Police Service spokesperson Bruno Shioso said.
“We further appeal to members of the public who may have information regarding the incident to volunteer and report to any police station or through our hotline number 999,112 or 0800 722203.”
Itumbi is said to have suffered extensive torture, including repeated battery of his limbs with a hammer, and sustained soft tissue injuries as well as fractures.
Lobby groups led by the Amnesty International-Kenya and Kenya Human Rights Commission condemned the incident and called for investigations.
In August this year, Itumbi recorded a statement with detectives at the Kasarani police station, after he was allegedly shot at while driving.
During the incident, he was headed to Red Sports restaurant to pick dinner, at about 8 pm.
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