The family of businessman and politician Jimi Wanjigi has narrated the ordeal they endured during a police raid at their home in Muthaiga on Thursday, August 8.
Jimi Wanjigi’s son, Maina Wanjigi, while speaking to the press on Friday, August 9, alleged that the police terrorized them throughout the night.
“They came in at around 7 pm, broke the door, and I was beaten up by five masked police officers,” he said.
“Once they entered the house, they assaulted my sister and mother, ordered us to lie on the floor, and kicked us on the heads. We had no choice but to cooperate.”
Maina recounted that the armed officers conducted a thorough search until 4:00 am and the family believed the search was over.
“It was until 6:00 am today that mass individuals came and dragged us from bed and told us that they wanted to search even more,” he said.
Family of Jimi Wanjigi Speaks After Home was raided
He also noted that the power was cut, and the Wi-Fi signal was down after the ordeal.
Also Read: Jimi Wanjigi Raid: New Twist as Armed Cops Break into His Home
On her part, Wanjigi’s daughter, Wambui, said that she was recording the incident when the police forcefully knocked down their door.
“My mother and I were all alone in the house together with my grandmother and we were telling the police ‘Don’t shoot!’ we were hit and fell on the ground, and they were just trying to take away our phones away,” she said.
“They did not have a warrant, and we were just trying to protect our home. They forcefully gained access after we refused to open the door. It was quite a shocking experience.”
Jimi Wanjigi’s mother, Mary Wambui, described the incident as unfortunate, occurring nearly a month after the death of her husband.
She expressed hope that Jimi Wanjigi would ultimately be proven innocent.
“I have known him since childhood, and he has never been criminal. We wish that everything that happens to him, everybody will open their eyes and see that he is innocent,” she said.
Wanjigi’s lawyer, Willis Otieno, reported that the police took several items, including an iPhone, iPad, walkie-talkies, and a receipt for fuel from Total Energies, which were all inventoried.
Otieno also stated that the police disconnected the electricity, cut off internet access, and stole jewellry, money, watches, and other valuables.
Also Read: NPS Clarifies on Police Raiding Wanjigi’s Home
Acting IG on the Raid
On Thursday, Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli’s said that the raid on Wanjigi’s home was triggered by the interception of a vehicle linked to him.
The acting IG reported that police recovered items from the intercepted vehicle and announced that an arrest has been made as a result of the operation.
“We wish to inform the public that today we intercepted a personal motor vehicle in Muthaiga at the residence of Jimi Wanjigi. In the vehicle, we have recovered four teargas cannisters, two Motorola gadgets, seven assorted chargers for the pocket phones and one mobile phone. There is one arrest that has happened,” said Masengeli.
Wanjigi Sues DPP and Acting IG
Meanwhile, Jimi Wanjigi has filed a lawsuit against the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and acting IG Gilbert Masengeli, alleging that the raid on his Muthaiga residence was ‘politically motivated’.
In his lawsuit, Wanjigi accuses the IG and DPP of multiple violations, including the unlawful entry into his home and attempts to arrest him without proper justification.
“I believe that the Respondent has no legitimate grounds in attempting to arrest me or link me whatsoever to the alleged discovered items or even searching my premises and/or preferring criminal charges against me,” Wanjigi stated in an affidavit.
He further claimed that the actions of the authorities were designed to “embarrass and intimidate” him, potentially causing psychological distress.
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