• Macharia Gaitho said he has never met the influencer and does not know him.
• He added that the only thing they share is a name and further invited him for drink.
Image: FILE
Veteran journalist Macharia Gaitho has expressed his hope for the safety of social media influencer Francis Gaitho.
This is after the journalist was violently arrested in a case of mistaken identity as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations officers looked for Francis Gaitho.
In a statement on X, Macharia Gaitho said he has never met the influencer and does not know him.
He added that the only thing they share is a name and further invited him for a drink.
"Ngarana @FGaitho237 I don't know you. We've never met. We don't share house, car or phone. We happen to share a name, and now, thanks to @DCI_Kenya, maybe a common destiny. I pray you are safe. Lets share a drink soon," the veteran journalist said.
Macharia Gaitho was violently arrested by people he said refused to identify themselves at Karen Police Station.
The journalist who was in the company of his son was driven to the police station after the individuals tried to abduct him outside the gate of his home.
They were in a convoy of two cars.
The Director of Criminal Investigation Mohamed Amin would later on say that the arrest was a case of mistaken identity.
"We are sorry to Gaitho. It was a case of mistaken identity," Amin said.
Amin said they were looking for a social media influencer Francis Gaitho.
After the incident, Francis Gaitho said he would present himself to the DCI Headquarters at 2pm, on Wednesday.
"I will be presenting myself at DCI Headquarters, Mazingira House Kiambu Road at 2pm today. Thank you all for your concern," he said.
Replying to a statement by the National Police Service, he said he was in touch with his legal counsel on how to proceed.