Former police officer Hiram Kimathi arrested over links to 'FBI’ movement

The 1pm arrest is suspected to be in relation to the formation of an anti-police brutality group dubbed Fighting Brutality and Impunity (FBI), whose other leaders - Jackson Kuria Kimani alias Cop Shakur and former Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officer Patrick Osoi – are also already in custody.

The officers camped at Kimathi’s residence since mid-morning; he willingly came out, was handcuffed and put into a Subaru vehicle before being driven away.

Kimathi's lawyer, Dan Kiruai, who arrived during the arrest, says they have not been informed of the crime committed or which police station he is being taken to.

The lawyer says the event of Kimathi's arrest might be due to his expressions against the government and police brutality.

He argues that these actions—and those of the FBI group—fall under freedom of expression and constitutional rights.

The arrest comes days after Osoi was apprehended and arraigned at the Kahawa Law Court on Wednesday.

In his posts, the suspect expressed his desire to vie for the presidency in the 2027 elections through the FBI movement. Aside from working in the KDF, Osoi is a United States Army veteran and also claims to be a former National Intelligence Service (NIS) officer.

According to a notice of motion filed by the DCI during his arraignment on Wednesday, Osoi was accused of forming the FBI group alongside Cop Shakur and Kimathi, and that they sought to recruit current and former officers to fight 'illegal orders.'

Osoi is expected to face charges of preparing to commit a felony, possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition without a certificate and offences related to terrorism recruitment and facilitation. 

Cop Shakur was nabbed that very Wednesday when he went to the Kahawa Law Courts to stand in solidarity with Osoi during his arraignment.