DP Ruto now blames the State over Itumbi alleged abduction

DP William Ruto said the brutal torture subjected to Dennis Itumbi was meant to silence people supporting his presidential bid. [DPPS]

Deputy President William Ruto has joined the list of people who have faulted the State in the alleged abduction of Dennis Itumbi.

DP Ruto yesterday alleged that Itumbi’s torture was effected by police officers in what he termed as impunity.

“I spent time with Comrade DI (Dennis Itumbi) last evening, saw his heavily bandaged arm and legs, the result of torture by people who should have been there to protect him and us all,” Ruto posted on Twitter after visiting Itumbi at the Nairobi West Hospital on Tuesday night. “They wanted to kill his spirit but DI is strong and in very high spirits though doctors say he will be confined to bed for a month."

Ruto said the brutal torture subjected to Itumbi leaving him with multiple injuries and fractures was meant to silence people supporting his presidential bid.

“They have now turned violent and fatalistic after all the negative narratives, threats and blackmail against us failed. Like Dennis, we all must be strong knowing that in a few months we will defeat impunity, entitlement, arrogance and abhor and free our nation for good. Pole Dennis. Get well soon. God is the Almighty,” said the DP.

Ruto said the injuries inflicted on Itumbi by his alleged abductors will see him indisposed for a month.

Hours after the DP post, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) communication director Wanjoi Githae took a swipe at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations boss George Kinoti, questioning his sudden interest in the Itumbi case, days after the National Police Service announced it is probing the matter.

"Suddenly you have realised there is need to record a statement from Itumbi. Fair enough. But you understand that there are procedures when accessing a patient in ICU. It's not just a walk-in. Curiously ....," said Githae.

"You have come a day after DP visited him. Why didn't you consider visiting him a day after he was admitted if you were keen in this investigation. Have you triangulated his phone and found which were near his, minutes after he was abducted? That would be useful update to Kenyans on where the investigations are as of now. Kindly note hospitals have procedures, especially ICU wards."

Itumbi was reportedly abducted by unknown people at 3pm on December 23 in a barbershop in Thindigua in Kiambu and bundled into a waiting car.

His brother David Itumbi would later allege that the blogger was arrested and tortured by police officers. “My brother has been badly beaten. We thank God that he is alive. On his own account he was arrested by police and and tortured,” he said.

The DP joined his supporters to condemn the incident. Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wa had previously alleged that the State was circulating a fake plate number of the vehicle in which Itumbi was shoved into to hoodwink Kenyans on Itumbi’s real abductors.

The National Police Service issued a statement urging people to volunteer information regarding the incident to enable them arrest the abductors.