The High Court of Kenya has barred the National Police Service (NPS) from arresting or detaining businessman Jimi Wanjigi.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye in a ruling on August 9, 2024, barred the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) from arresting or detaining the businessman who had moved to court earlier.
Wanjigi had moved to court seeking to block his arrest over involvement in the widely publicized ‘Nane Nane’ protests staged in Nairobi on Thursday.
“Pending the inter-partes hearing and determination of the Application dated 08/08/2024, a conservatory order be and is hereby issued restraining the Respondents jointly and severally, their servants, agents, or third parties acting under the direction or authority of the Respondents from detaining, arresting, or restraining the liberty and freedom of movement of the Petitioner/Applicant, Jimi Wanjigi,” read part of the ruling.
In his ruling, Justice Mwamuye further directed that if Wanjigi is apprehended, he should be freed immediately.
Wanjigi Moves to Court
The ruling was delivered after Jimi moved to court seeking to block his arrest and further sued law enforcement agencies for staging the raid at his home.
Also Read: Jimi Wanjigi’s Family Narrates Ordeal at the Hands of Police
Wanjigi, in his suit filed at the Milimani Law Courts has sued Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga and the Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli describing the raid as the Muthaiga residence as “politically motivated”.
According to the former presidential candidate, police teargassed him and pursued him to his home on 44 Muthaiga Road, and thereafter attempted to forcefully enter his residence to arrest him.
In his submission, the businessman also denied police reports that items including teargas canisters were allegedly seized from one of his escort vehicles outside his residence.
“The Applicant denies knowledge of the stated items and discovery, categorically stating that the motor vehicle in which they were discovered if at all, does not belong to him or any of his associates or affiliates as reported,” he said in court papers.
Acting Inspector General of Police (IG) Gilbert Masengeli in a press briefing on Thursday evening said four teargas canisters, two Motorola gadgets, seven assorted chargers for the pocket phone, and one mobile phone were recovered in a motor vehicle parked outside Wanjigi’s gate.
The businessman had joined protesters in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) before police lobbed teargas canisters to disperse them.
Drama at Muthaiga Home
What followed was a dramatic motor vehicle chase involving Wanjigi’s motorcade and police patrol vehicles from the CBD to Muthaiga through Thika Road.
Also Read: Jimi Wanjigi Raid: New Twist as Armed Cops Break into His Home
According to a police report, the vehicle carrying Wanjigi reportedly made its way inside his compound as the chase car was abandoned outside the gate by the time police caught up with the businessman’s convoy.
A heavy police contingent, including the DCI’s Special Crimes Unit, camped outside Wanjigi’s house, conducting forensic analysis on the abandoned vehicle.
Police later ordered Wanjigi to surrender at the nearest police station, but he was yet to do so by Friday.
Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga is among notable figures who have since visited Wanjigi’s home following the Thursday raid.
Raila arrived at the residence of the businessman at Friday afternoon at around 3pm.
In a video seen by The Kenya Times, the former Prime Minister was seen disembarking from his vehicle before proceeding to get inside
He was received by a team of lawyers before being ushered into the house.
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