Former KDF officer Osoi arraigned over formation of FBI

Patrick Nyambaka Osoi, a man linked to a movement dubbed Fighting Brutality and Impunity (FBI), was on Wednesday arraigned at the Kahawa Law Courts over allegations of preparing to commit a felony and illegally possessing a firearm.

Osoi, a former KDF officer, was arrested on July 29 after the movement went viral. He and two other ex-police officers were seen in jungle combat gear in widely circulated online videos.

He was presented before Magistrate Richard Kipkemoi, where detectives sought 14 more days to conclude investigations.

Chief Inspector Josephine Korir, attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and leading the investigations, told the court that Osoi is suspected of illegally possessing a firearm, ammunition without certification, and preparing to commit a felony.

However, the request was challenged by Osoi’s legal team led by Duncan Okatch, who opposed some of the DCI’s claims.

The defence argued that it was unfair for the DCI to cite Osoi’s social media following as a reason to detain him longer. They also refuted claims that he had sophisticated weapons, adding that he had cooperated fully since learning that he was being sought by authorities.

In an affidavit, the investigating officer said they received intelligence on July 28 that Osoi was allegedly planning to "wage a war" against uniformed police officers.

"Patrick Osoi was arrested of July 29 on suspicion of engaging in activities prejudicial to the public order, national security, and peace maintenance before, during, and after June 25, 2025, nationwide protests and July 7, 2025 protests," the officer stated.

The investigating officer stated that Osoi, through his X account, has declared forming Fighting Brutality Initiative and was recruiting former and serving police officers so as to fight illegal orders.

This, she noted, was raising serious national security implications, adding that a social media post about the said FBI had attracted a lot of comments and likes, particularly on X.

"This demonstrates massive public reach and influence, making it highly likely that the respondents' message has already mobilised or is capable of mobilising a large number of people, including police officers, civilians and potentially hostile actors to join or support illegal activities," the DCI officer added

She told the court that the viral nature of the posts posed risks of public unrest, disorder, and the coordination of violent acts, even as investigations continued.

According to the DCI, Osoi is believed to be a former member of the disciplined forces and has appeared on social media dressed in full special forces gear while holding a firearm, training in an undisclosed location.

Inspector Korir also claimed that Osoi may be in possession of “sophisticated, special weapons,” posing a threat to national security, and that he and his associates—still being traced—were well trained in firearm handling and capable of mobilising the public.

She urged the court to allow them more time to detain him without bail or bond to prevent interference with ongoing investigations.

The court also heard that the DCI is yet to confirm whether Osoi and his counterparts are still in service, and that their residences remain unknown.

A ruling on whether the DCI will be granted 14 days to hold Osoi is expected today.

Osoi’s co-accused include former Kenya Police officer Hiram Kimathi and Jackson Kihara, alias Cop Shakur, who was also arrested at Kahawa Law Courts on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Kimathi told The Standard that the FBI movement was formed to advocate for justice, good governance, and to speak out against police brutality.

“We are targeting people who are suffering as police, that is police brutality, people who have been injured, people who have been shot, families that have lost their loved ones,” he explained. “We have realized along the way that all the injustices that we are going through are not as a result of police or of the citizens,” he said.