Wanjigi sues state officers over raid on his home

By Peter Ochieng

Safina Party leader Jimi Wanjigi has sued some state officers, a day after a police raid on his Muthaiga home, in Nairobi.

In his petition filed at the Milimani law Courts, the businessman sued Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga and the Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli.

Police camped outside Wanjigi’s home for the better part of Thursday during protests dubbed ‘Nane Nane,’ before managing to break into his home at night, in search of him. Apparently, he was not at home with security agencies urging him to surrender to any police station.

He has been accused of sponsoring the youth-led demonstrations. The businessman cum politician described the raid as politically motivated.

He has denied being the owner of a motor vehicle that was allegedly found with tear gas canisters outside his compound, on Thursday. Masengeli informed the country that police had discovered four teargas canisters, two Motorola gadgets, seven assorted charges for the pocket phone and one mobile phone in a vehicle parked at Wanjigis gate, urging him to surrender himself for questioning.

Through his advocate Nelson Osiemo, Wanjigi has denied owing the vehicle in question. "I believe that the IG has no legitimate grounds for arresting me or presenting myself to any police station as demanded or preferring criminal charges against me," he stated.

"Over the last few months, I have been subjected to untold mental and psychological anguish as police officers have been intimidating, harassing and trailing me.”

He wants the court to grant him an anticipatory bail, pending arrest by the police. If the case is not heard expeditiously, he said, he is afraid his constitutional rights are likely to be put at risk.

Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua is among leaders who have condemned police for staging a raid on Wanjigi’s home.

"Police gained access to this home and broke the door. We came here and found they had conducted two searches one in the evening and another later in the night. I do not want to preempt because they are the ones who know what transpired," she said.