Controversial businessman and shrewd political strategist, Jimmy Wanjigi, presented himself at Nairobi regional police headquarters on Monday, August 19, 2024. This follows a summon from the regional DCI, as investigations over his links to funding Gen-Zs Nane Nane protests in the CBD start.
Immediately after his arrival with his legal team at the DCI offices, around 2 pm, he was detained at the Kamukunji police station.
Cause For Alarm
Investigations have started over his connection with an unknown vehicle found parked outside his gate on August 8, 2024. The vehicle, according to police, is said to have contained teargas cans, unnumbered mobile phones, and a list of assorted charges, something Wanjigi has distanced himself from.
Drama In Court
In a video that has trended since yesterday, the businessman is seen confronting police after arriving at the DCI. He is seen being forcefully ordered to board a car which he adamantly refuses. There’s a confrontation between him and the officers before he eventually hops onto it.
Through his counsel, Khaminwa, who accompanied him to the station, Wanjigi said that there is a court order barring the police from harassing, detaining, or arresting his client.
His lawyer argued that summoning his client, and setting him up as a subject of investigation is restraining his liberty and freedom of movement.
Wanjigi’s Home Raid
Last week, Jimi Wanjigi’s home in Nairobi was raided by police as he took part in the Nane Nane protests. His only crime, he says, was going to the streets to offer support to the Gen Z demands. He didn’t even go ahead with it as he was cut short and surrounded. The police targeted him and wanted to detain him.
His car was teargassed as he drove home to escape the police dragnet. The gated kingly Muthaiga home was then ransacked as police came looking for him as he sought refuge.
Wanjigi maintained that he is innocent and the police are hellbent on pursuing him yet he is exercising his democratic right.
Wanjigi The Government Critic
The Kwacha Group of Companies CEO has constantly voiced concerns over the government’s aggressive tax proposals. Wanjigi has been a constant Ruto critic, highlighting the challenges posed by the country’s high debt servicing ratio. He adds that he is skeptical about the feasibility of the tax proposals.
He argued that the bill’s ambitious revenue goals were statistically improbable and warned against using taxation as a quick solution. Wanjigi criticized the government’s approach, making him an “enemy of the state”.
Next Court Date
On August 16, he extended the orders stopping the police from arresting him. Justice Bahati Mwamuye extended the desist order to September 19 but clarified that at the same time, he could not issue an order stopping any registration of a charge sheet against Wanjigi.
He is still detained and awaits to be produced in court.
