Silverio Omari
On Monday, businessman Jimi Wanjigi appeared before the police for questioning regarding allegations that he sponsored the Nane Nane protests. Detectives also intended to interrogate him about claims of possessing teargas canisters at his Muthaiga home in Nairobi. Wanjigi has denied these allegations, calling them politically motivated.
The police had summoned Wanjigi to the Nairobi Area DCI offices on August 19 for questioning. This followed an unsuccessful attempt to arrest him at his residence on August 8.
Wanjigi, accompanied by his legal team, arrived at the Nairobi Area station around 2 a.m. He faced a brief confrontation with police officers at the station gates, who prevented him from speaking to the media and instructed him to enter the offices immediately. Wanjigi insisted on his right to be treated with respect before eventually driving into the compound.
Earlier, on August 9, a police team had broken into Wanjigi’s home and harassed his family while searching for him. Wanjigi subsequently sought a court order to prevent his arrest, which was granted. On August 16, Justice Bahati Mwamuye extended the order until September 19 but noted that it did not prevent the registration of charges against Wanjigi.
Wanjigi’s advocate, Willis Otieno, requested an amendment to the petition, citing new developments. The prosecution opposed this request, arguing that Otieno was seeking relief not originally sought. The judge granted Wanjigi seven days to file an amended petition, with the matter scheduled for mention on September 19. Justice Mwamuye also directed that if Wanjigi were detained or arrested while the petition was pending, he should be released immediately.
Wanjigi contested claims that a vehicle found abandoned at his Muthaiga residence, which allegedly contained teargas canisters and communication devices, belonged to him or his associates. Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli had previously stated that the vehicle was linked to Wanjigi and urged him to surrender for questioning.
Several politicians have criticized the police actions as politically motivated harassment. Four individuals have been charged and released on a Sh100,000 bond in connection with the teargas canisters.
