Kenya Arrests Third Alleged Leader of Anti-Brutality ‘FBI’ Movement

Kenyan detectives on Friday arrested former police officer Hiram Kimathi at his home in the Kambakia area of Meru County, making him the third alleged leader of the self-styled Fighting Brutality and Impunity (FBI) movement to be taken into custody this week. Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations said the mid-afternoon operation ended without incident after they had surrounded the property for several hours. Kimathi’s detention follows Wednesday’s arrests of former Kenya Defence Forces soldier and U.S. Army veteran Patrick Osoi and ex-policeman Jackson Kuria Kimani, known as Cop Shakur. A Kahawa Law Court has already ordered Osoi and Kimani held for seven days while investigators prepare possible charges that include preparing to commit a felony, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, and terrorism-related recruitment and facilitation. Investigators allege the trio created the FBI movement to recruit serving and former security officers to resist what they describe as illegal orders, including the government’s “shoot-to-kill” directive. Kimathi’s lawyer, Dan Kiruai, said authorities have not disclosed the specific offence for which his client is being held and argued that the group’s activities fall under constitutionally protected freedom of expression.