Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have refuted claims of spying on people's phones, terming such allegations as false and sensational.
In a statement on Friday morning, detectives dismissed claims made in one of the Daily Nation's articles, which alleged surveillance of mobile phones and other digital devices by the DCI.
The article alleged that the detectives planted spy software on the devices used by Activist Bryan Adagala to track his communications and his other digital operations.
It further claimed that the software was installed on the device of Adagala, one of the Blood Parliament filmmakers, on May 21, at 5:17 pm, when it was confiscated by the police.
The device was later returned to him on July 10, with the article disclosing that the spyware tool is one that anyone can purchase and easily install on certain devices to which they have physical access.
While dismissing the allegations by the media house, the detectives noted that the Daily Nation's article was aimed at misguiding the public and undermining the integrity of the DCI.
"We categorically refute these claims as false and sensational, aimed at misguiding the public and undermining the integrity of the DCI," the DCI officers said.
"However, we cannot disclose specific details about the allegations at this time, since they are now a matter of ongoing court proceedings," they added.
In the statement, the DCI officers went on to assure Kenyans of their public and private safety, further emphasising that they operate strictly within the confines of the law.
According to the detectives, they are committed to upholding the rights and privacy of all Kenyans, adding that they do not engage in any activities that compromise the constitutional principles of privacy.
Meanwhile, the DCI's clarification also comes barely a week after a High Court in Nairobi ordered the government to compensate a young man Ksh500,000 over an illegal search of his phone.
This followed allegations by the youth that the police had obtained and searched his phone without a court order, compromising his right to privacy. by
