My investigation for @declassifiedUK today uncovers a CIA-backed kill-capture paramilitary squad (RRT) behind night raids against terror suspects in #Kenya
Some targets are arrested. Some were extraordinarily rendered. Many are killed...
dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-0…
Some targets are arrested. Some were extraordinarily rendered. Many are killed...
dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-0…
The Kenya squad was conceived and trained by the CIA in 2004, as part of an “intimate integration” programme, former CIA senior Henry Crumpton told me
18 paramilitaries from Kenya's GSU were flown to the US for their first training, in rendition operations and then armed
18 paramilitaries from Kenya's GSU were flown to the US for their first training, in rendition operations and then armed
The CIA, MI6 and Kenya's NIS gathered intelligence on their targets for the RRT
MI6 was worried by their nationals travelling to Somalia through Kenya for 'jihadi tourism'
In the early days, those captured by the squad, including in Somalia, were often rendered by the CIA
MI6 was worried by their nationals travelling to Somalia through Kenya for 'jihadi tourism'
In the early days, those captured by the squad, including in Somalia, were often rendered by the CIA
One target captured by the RRT was Jermaine Grant, a British terror suspect & associate of the 'White Widow', was alleged to have trained with al-Shabaab in Somalia
Officers involved in the operation remember bundling him into their car boot and driving him to a police station
Officers involved in the operation remember bundling him into their car boot and driving him to a police station
But not all targets were so lucky
After al-Shabaab's 2010 Kampala terror attacks the RRT starts to "take down" terror suspects
"I’m sorry to say, and it sounds obnoxious to say it, but it’s something we did there” (fmr senior US official)
After al-Shabaab's 2010 Kampala terror attacks the RRT starts to "take down" terror suspects
"I’m sorry to say, and it sounds obnoxious to say it, but it’s something we did there” (fmr senior US official)
Sometimes the CIA-backed RRT gets the wrong man
Hunting a suspect in Oct 2012, RRT are guided to the wrong house in Mombasa by an informant, a whistleblower source told me
The team shoot a local cashier dead and leave him to bleed on top of his wife, who plays dead
Hunting a suspect in Oct 2012, RRT are guided to the wrong house in Mombasa by an informant, a whistleblower source told me
The team shoot a local cashier dead and leave him to bleed on top of his wife, who plays dead
In another deadly raid, this time outside of Nairobi, in May 2013 the squad raid and shoot dead an alleged suspect and his pregnant wife.
Police claim the two resisted arrest. Four witnesses told @hrw police had not encountered any armed resistance
Police claim the two resisted arrest. Four witnesses told @hrw police had not encountered any armed resistance
I also found that the paramilitaries use covert tactics such as fake number plates and disguise themselves as aid workers
Covert tactics such as these “shield perpetrators of abuses from any shred of accountability”, ex @hrw east Africa director @_MariaBurnett told me
Covert tactics such as these “shield perpetrators of abuses from any shred of accountability”, ex @hrw east Africa director @_MariaBurnett told me
Fmr US Ambassador to Kenya, M. Ranneberger and former Kenyan vice president @skmusyoka (below) said killings with impunity are radicalising the country
"There is nothing that really radicalises [more] than taking somebody out in a manner that is not in accordance with the law.”
"There is nothing that really radicalises [more] than taking somebody out in a manner that is not in accordance with the law.”
Former CIA CTC deputy, Crumpton agreed: “You’ve got to win allies in this kind of war and human rights abuses have no part in that."
In response to my story, the CIA and MI6 offered 'no comment'. The US embassy and Kenya's police ignored requests.
In response to my story, the CIA and MI6 offered 'no comment'. The US embassy and Kenya's police ignored requests.
In all my interviews with current and former RRT squad members, I found no trace of accountability.
A story of this importance, confirmed by senior US officials would surely be lapped up by editors? But many were too afraid.
"What if the CIA sues us?", one asked.
A story of this importance, confirmed by senior US officials would surely be lapped up by editors? But many were too afraid.
"What if the CIA sues us?", one asked.
So I'm thankful to editors @markcurtis30, @kennardmatt (@declassifiedUK) & @brankobrkic (@dailymaverick) for pulling no punches and giving it the space to describe in intimate detail how the CIA and the RRT have avoided much needed scrutiny
Lastly, don't forget to read Part 2: How the CIA came to lead deadly counter-terrorism operations in Kenya
Which tells you the history and rationale behind the CIA and MI6's counter-terrorism efforts in Kenya.
dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-0…
Which tells you the history and rationale behind the CIA and MI6's counter-terrorism efforts in Kenya.
dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-0…
