Ex-KDF Officer Arraigned Over Alleged Anti-Brutality Militia Plot with Police Officers

By: Ogonyo Centrine

A former Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officer, Patrick Osoi, was on Wednesday arraigned at the Kahawa Law Courts following his arrest earlier in the week. Osoi is accused of forming a controversial movement aimed at resisting police brutality and impunity—an initiative that has since attracted the attention of law enforcement authorities.

According to court documents filed by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Osoi is said to have established a group named Fighting Brutality and Impunity (FBI), working in collaboration with two serving police officers: Jackson Kuria Kimani—popularly known as Cop Shakur—and Kimathi Hiram. The trio allegedly sought to recruit both current and former members of the disciplined forces to join their cause, which they say is meant to challenge what they describe as “illegal orders” issued by senior security officials.

The formation of the group has not gone unnoticed by the state. The DCI believes that the movement has the potential to spark public unrest and disorder, especially considering the attention it has gained on social media. One of Osoi’s posts on the platform X (formerly Twitter) recently went viral, garnering over 260,000 views, nearly 4,000 likes, 900 retweets, and more than 400 comments. In the post, Osoi openly declared his intention to contest the presidency in 2027 under the FBI banner. This post is cited in the court documents as a potential trigger for public mobilization.

Authorities argue that such widespread online engagement could serve as a rallying point for dissatisfied individuals, including what they referred to as “hostile actors,” who might be tempted to engage in unlawful or violent activities.

The DCI’s application to the court outlined a series of concerns, including the possibility that Osoi is hiding incriminating evidence. After his arrest, Osoi reportedly led officers to a number of vacant residential premises in Nairobi—believed to be short-term rental apartments or Airbnbs. However, investigators suspect that the former soldier has a primary residence he is deliberately concealing, possibly due to its alleged connection to ongoing investigations.

The DCI has therefore requested a warrant to search all premises associated with Osoi, expressing suspicion that he may be in possession of illegal firearms or other materials relevant to the case. Investigators have also asked the court to allow them to detain Osoi for 14 days at Muthaiga Police Station to complete their investigations.

In addition to his KDF background, Osoi is also reported to be a U.S. Army veteran and has claimed past service with Kenya’s National Intelligence Service (NIS)—though the latter claim has yet to be verified by authorities.

The charges Osoi could potentially face are serious and wide-ranging. These include preparing to commit a felony, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, and offences related to terrorism, particularly recruitment and facilitation. The DCI has emphasized the severity of the offences under investigation, noting that they carry heavy penalties upon conviction.

“The custodial orders being sought are not intended to punish the respondent,” the DCI argued in their submission. “They are necessary to allow investigators sufficient time to gather evidence, verify claims, and conclude investigations in a thorough manner.”

As the case unfolds, Osoi’s arrest has sparked conversations online about the state of police conduct in Kenya and the extent to which citizens—including those formerly in service—can or should organize around issues of accountability within security agencies.

It remains to be seen whether Osoi will be formally charged after the 14-day period or if the investigations will lead to further revelations about the nature and intent of the group he allegedly formed.