Police officers accessed the main house of Safina Party leader Jimi Wanjigi in Muthaiga following a night raid on Thursday, August 8, 2024.
The police had vowed to storm into the house if Wanjigi did not surrender.
Evening raid
One of his lawyers, Odero Osiemo, said he would address the media once the police filed charges against his client.
Osiemo further condemned the police harassment, adding that they are prepared for any eventuality.
“It is just police harassment; he has faced this before, so we are prepared for any eventuality. I believe this is all politics,” Osiemo said.
“We are waiting to see. We are giving them time to clear here, then we will go see them at the police station. We want to understand what the OB being written is so that we can address you (the media) about why they have taken that vehicle away.”
Call for surrender
Acting Police Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli has called on businessman Jimi Wanjigi to surrender himself to the nearest police station, linking him to the ongoing Nane Nane anti-government demonstrations.
In a press briefing, Masengeli revealed that police had recovered teargas canisters and Motorola communication devices, among other items, from a Toyota Prado confiscated at the entrance of Wanjigi’s Muthaiga home.
“As we informed the public yesterday, our intelligence had indicated that there were security threats to our country with criminals who had planned to infiltrate today’s demonstrations,” Masengeli stated.
He continued, “We wish to inform the public that today we intercepted a personal motor vehicle Prado model KDC 883R in Muthaiga at the residence of Jimi Wanjigi. In the vehicle, we have recovered 4 teargas canisters, 2 Motorola gadgets, 7 assorted chargers for the pocket phones, and one mobile phone.”
Masengeli emphasized that investigations are still ongoing, with officers on the ground working to uncover further details.
“Investigators are on the ground to ascertain more details,” he said.
He also confirmed that one person had been apprehended during the raid, although another vehicle managed to enter Wanjigi’s compound before the gate was shut, locking out the police and the Prado that was seized.
“There is one arrest that happened there, but still there is one motor vehicle that managed to enter the compound, and they closed the gate,” he said.
The acting Inspector General made a direct appeal to Wanjigi, urging him to surrender to the nearest police station.
The acting IG further asked Wanjigi to surrender to the nearest police station.
“Our appeal is that he surrenders to the nearest police station whatsoever,” he said.