The raid witnessed at Jimi Wanjigi’s home came after police during an operation intercepted a vehicle linked to the businessman, outside his home in Muthaiga.
Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli on Thursday, August 8 called upon former Presidential Aspirant Jimi Wanjigi to surrender himself to any police station, linking him to the recent anti-government demonstrations dubbed ‘Nane Nane’.
While addressing the press, Masengeli revealed that Wanjigi is wanted by the police to record a statement after several items linked to criminals believed to have infiltrated the Nane Nane protests were recovered from his car.
He noted that the raid witnessed at Jimi Wanjigi’s home came after police during an operation intercepted a vehicle linked to the businessman, outside his home in Muthaiga.
“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 and cause havoc,” Masengeli stated.
Acting Police IG Gilbert Masengeli speaking during a press briefing on August 7, 2024. /PHOTO
“We wish to inform the public that today we intercepted a personal motor vehicle in Muthaiga at the residence of Jimi Wanjigi. In the vehicle, we recovered four teargas canisters, two Motorola gadgets, seven assorted chargers for the pocket phones and one mobile phone. There is one arrest that has happened.”
Masengeli however revealed that another motor vehicle managed to enter Jimi Wanjigi’s compound, with police unable to intercept it as the gate was immediately closed after it managed to sneak in.
He emphasized that investigations are still ongoing, with officers on the ground working to uncover further details.
“Our appeal is that he surrenders to the nearest Police Station,” Masengeli appealed to the businessman who is still in hiding.
The Acting IG at the same time addressed the Nane Nane protests, thanking Kenyans for maintaining peace and those that demonstrated for doing so peaceably.
Masengeli noted that normalcy prevailed in most parts of the country except in a few areas such as the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).
“Normalcy prevailed except for some areas such as Nairobi where a police officer was injured. We also arrested a total of 174 suspects that is, 126 in Nairobi, 22 in Kitengela, 26 in Rift Valley and Emali,” he added.
“Consequently, the National Police Service would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all law-abiding Kenyans for preserving peace and maintaining law and order throughout the country today.”
The Acting IG’s remarks came after a contingent of police officers surrounded Wanjigi’s Muthaiga home, seeking access to the property but failed. However, they tracked down the Prado TX owned by the businessman which raced and parked outside his Muthaiga home.
Earlier reports indicated that the car had allegedly been spotted along Limuru Road distributing money. However, in a series of tweets, Wanjigi, who was not at home during the incident, announced that police officers were planning to raid his property, stating “The police have decided to raid my home.”
Speaking to reporters, Maina Wanjigi, Jimi’s son, expressed his disappointment at the events but revealed that he was not surprised.
“It is not shocking; it is not the first time we’ve been raided. It seems whenever we are a threat to them, they decide to raid us. But this is all in the spirit of political freedom. Why is it that when you express an opinion against the government, you have to be victimized like this?” Maina lamented.
A collage of a contingent of police outside the home of Jimi Wanjigi on August 8, 2024. /JIMI WANJIGI