Jimi Wanjigi Arrested After Honouring Police Summons: "It's Not Right"

• On Monday, August 19, businessman Jimi Wanjigi presented himself to the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI)
• Wanjigi accused police of disobeying court orders after he was arrested and detained at the Kamukunji Police Station
• Police said Wanjigi's arrest was linked to six rifles found in his home and not the 'nane nane' protests

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - Businessman Jimi Wanjigi has been arrested by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers.

What Jimi Wanjigi said after his arrest

On Monday, August 19, Wanjigi presented himself at the DCI headquarters in connection with the Nane Nane protests.

However, the businessman was arrested by DCI detectives and will be detained at Kamukunji Police Station.

The businessman-turned-politician accused police of breaching court orders which had barred the police from arresting him.

"The DCI have illegally arrested me despite numerous court orders barring the same arrest," Wanjigi said.

Why was Jimi Wanjigi arrested?

The police said the arrest had nothing to do with an earlier probe on the Nane Nane protests but was related to six rifles found in Wanjigi's home.

According to the police, the Firearms Licensing Board said that the six rifles found in Wanjigi's house were not licensed.

“The chairman licensing board advised us to take legal action against him over the illegal possession of the firearms and that is why he is being detained. It’s a new matter and not the Nane Nane or the tear gas canister issue,” the police said.

Kalonzo visists Jimi Wanjigi

Wanjigi's arrest saw several political leaders accuse the state of ignoring court orders.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka who visited the politician at Kamukunji police station descried the arrest as unconstitutional.

"His arrest and detention is UNCONSTITUTIONAL. It is not Right. We have laws and procedures in this country," he said in a post on X.

Earlier in the day, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna had also faulted the police over the arrest.

Sifuna who doubles up as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) secretary general said although he does not like Wanjigi, it was wrong for the police to arrest him contrary to court orders.

"I don’t like #Wanjigi. But I like court orders and the rule of law. There are existing court orders barring this arrest and to proceed in this fashion is a brazen violation of the Constitution. The @Kenyajudiciary must stop this impunity by Ruto’s regime and set him free immediately he is presented to them," he said.

Did police assault Wanjigi's wife

Meanwhile, Wanjigi alleged that police officers assaulted his wife, Irene Nzisa Wanjigi, during the raid at their home on Thursday evening, August 8.

In an interview with Citizen TV, Wanjigi claimed that a female police officer pulled his wife from a sofa in their home and assaulted her.

Wanjigi stated that his wife and children are still traumatised by the way the police treated them on that day.

He stated that his family was prepared to endure any hardship, including physical assault, as long as the police did not find him.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke

Google 'anti-competitive' Over Online Ad Tech: UK
Cohousing Lets Mexicans Grow Old Among Friends
Rigathi Gachagua Impeachment: Process, Threshold Required To Oust Deputy President

Jimi Wanjigi at Kamukunji Police Station

I Will Not Surrender - Jimi Wanjigi Responds to DCI

Wanjigi arraigned, yet to be charged - The Standard