Kenya – Police summon Jimi Wanjigi Over Nane Nane Demonstrations

By Lisbeth Micheni, Kenya

Police Detectives in Kenya have summoned a businessman, Jimi Wanjigi for interrogation in connection with the Nane Nane protests.

The police claimed they found teargas canisters among other items at his gate in Muthaiga, Nairobi.

The police therefore asked Wanjigi to appear before them on 19 August at Nairobi Area Directorate of Criminal Investigations office for examination.

This is after they had on 8th August tried to arrest him at his house in vain after they allegedly broke into his house looking for him.

Wanjigi is said to have moved to court afterwards, where he obtained an order stopping his arrest.

The court on 16 August extended the orders stopping the police from arresting him.

Justice Bahati Mwamuye extended the order to 19th September, but at the same time said he could not issue an order stopping any registration of a charge sheet against Wanjigi.

The Judge said the application filed by Wanjigi only touched on issues of arrest and not prosecution.

Wanjigi’s advocate Willis Otieno sought the order this morning saying several things have happened that they will be seeking to bring to the attention of this court, which will necessitate refinement of the application.

He said: “That’s why we are pleading for the order. There will be no prejudice to be suffered.”

The legal order, however, opposed the order sought, saying “Otieno is asking for what has not been pleaded.

“They are trying to anticipate our grounds of opposition in which we indicate they have failed to demonstrate how we have threatened the rights of the petitioner. I am opposed to granting an order that will bar charges,” said the prosecutor.

The judge gave Wanjigi seven days to file and serve an amended petition.

The matter will be mentioned on September 19.

Mwamuye said in the event Wanjigi could have been arrested or detained as the application was pending hearing in court, the officers should immediately set him free.

Wanjigi filed a suit in court and denied owning a vehicle where police said they found tear gas canisters and other communication gadgets.

The four-wheel drive black car was found abandoned at the entrance of Wanjigi’s house in Muthaiga, Nairobi.

This was minutes before the police announced they were looking for Wanjigi over the Nane Nane demonstrations in Nairobi.

Wanjigi in a case filed at the Milimani Law Courts said he is being framed in a bid to settle political scores.

Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli had informed the public that they discovered four teargas canisters, two Motorola gadgets, seven assorted chargers for the pocket phone and one mobile phone in a vehicle parked at Wanjigi’s gate.

Based on this the Inspector General asked Wanjigi to surrender himself to police for questioning.

Wanjigi said in court the vehicle in question doesn’t belong to him or any of his associates as earlier reported.

“I believe that the Inspector General has no legitimate grounds for arresting me or presenting myself to any police station as demanded or preferring criminal charges against me,” he said.

Also sought is an order stopping the Inspector General from arresting him and curtailing his movement.

Police spent the night at his house looking for him in vain. This is after they broke into his compound.

Several politicians said the raid is politically motivated to harass, intimidate and silence voices.

Four people have since been charged and released on Sh100,000 over the issue of teargas canisters.