Reprieve for Wanjigi as court stops police from arresting him

Besieged politician and businessman Jimi Wanjigi has gotten a reprieve following the High Court's decision to issue a temporary order stopping the police from arresting and curtailing his movements pending the determination of a case he filed.

On Friday, Justice Bahati Mwamuye said if the politician who is in hiding is arrested and detained, then he should be set free.

The Judge certified the matter filed by Wanjigi as urgent and directed him to serve the IG, DCI and ODPP by the close of business on August 12.

The respondents will then file their responses before August 14. The case will be mentioned on August 16 to take a hearing date.

Wanjigi has denied the ownership of a motor vehicle that was allegedly found with tear gas canisters during the Nane Nane demonstrations in Nairobi.

In a case filed at the Milimani Law Courts, the politician says he is being framed in a bid to settle political scores.

In a press briefing on Thursday, the acting Inspector general of police informed the public that they discovered four teargas canisters, two Motorola gadgets, seven assorted charges for the pocket phone and one mobile phone in a vehicle parked by Wanjigi's gate.

Following the alleged findings, the police ordered Wanjigi to surrender himself for questioning. "I believe that the IG has no legitimate grounds for arresting me or presenting myself to any police station as demanded or preferring criminal charges against me," he says.

Through advocate Nelson Osiemo, he has asked the court to grant him anticipatory bail pending any threatened arrest or charge by the police.

Also sought is an order stopping the IG from arresting him and curtailing his movement. "Over the last few months, I have been subjected to untold mental and psychological anguish as police officers have been intimidating, harassing and trailing me," he said.

He says his freedom and right to privacy have been curtailed on the pretext that he is funding the Nationwide demonstrations.

"If this case is not heard expeditiously, I'm afraid my constitutional rights are likely to be put at risk," he says.

On Friday, the family of Wanjigi accused police officers who were laying siege to their home of using their presence to settle political scores rather than doing their professional duties.

Police had camped at the residence of the former presidential candidate, whom they suspect of supporting the continuing anti-government rallies.

Mary Nzisa, Wanjigi's wife, led his two children and his mother in condemning the police presence at their compound.

"We do not know what they want. Their camping in our compound is illegal because they have not shown us any court warrant that permits them here," says Maina Wanjigi, son of Jimi Wanjigi.

According to the family, police who stormed their home on Thursday night attacked them twice before seizing their possessions, including phones and jewellery.

"Our valuables such as phones and jewellery have been taken away by police officers who raided our home while hooded," said Maina.