On the evening of August 8, 2024, police launched a dramatic raid on the Muthaiga residence of businessman and Safina Party leader Jimi Wanjigi.
This intense and prolonged operation lasted for nine hours, during which Wanjigi’s family endured what they describe as a harrowing ordeal.
The raid began around 5 p.m. when police surrounded Wanjigi's home. By 7 p.m., the situation escalated dramatically. Officers breached the front door of the house, initiating a search that quickly turned violent.
Maina Wanjigi, the businessman’s son, recounted that the police broke down the main entrance and began an aggressive search of the property. He alleged that the police did not just force their way in but also physically assaulted his family members.
Maina described the brutal events, claiming that police officers kicked his mother and sister while they were on the floor. He stated, “They kicked my mother and sister in the head while they were lying on the floor.”
According to him, he himself was beaten by five officers during the raid. The police also confiscated various items from the home, including electronic devices like iPhones, iPads, and walkie-talkies.
Even seemingly trivial items, such as a fuelling receipt, were taken, according to Wanjigi's family lawyer, Willis Otieno.
The raid did not end there. At 6 a.m. the next morning, the police returned for a second time. This second raid was marked by even more aggressive tactics. Officers cut off the power and Wi-Fi, then stormed the bedrooms.
Maina recounted that masked men with assault rifles dragged them out of their beds and pointed guns at them. “At 6 a.m., marauding men in balaclavas, carrying assault rifles, pointed their guns at us and dragged us out of bed,” he said.
The police’s aggressive tactics included searching the entire house and causing significant disruption to the family.
Maina’s account described the scene as chaotic and terrifying, with the family members being treated roughly and subjected to fear-inducing behavior by the police.
The Wanjigi family views the raid as a deliberate act of persecution. They have drawn comparisons to a previous raid on their home in 2017, which also involved allegations of police misconduct.
During that earlier raid, officers were accused of assaulting Wanjigi’s wife after she attempted to record the destruction of property.
Wambui Wanjigi, Jimi Wanjigi’s daughter, expressed her outrage and concern over the latest incident. She said, "The police came to humiliate us and to degrade us, but one thing that I can take out of today is that I have never been prouder to be Wanjigi's daughter."
As of now, Jimi Wanjigi remains a wanted man. Acting Police Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli has accused him of harboring security threats. Masengeli claimed that a vehicle found at Wanjigi’s residence contained tear gas canisters intended for use in protests.
“Our intelligence indicated that there were plans to infiltrate today’s protests and cause havoc. We intercepted a personal vehicle at Wanjigi’s residence and found the canisters,” Masengeli alleged.
Despite these serious allegations, Jimi Wanjigi has not turned himself in. Instead, he has opted to challenge the raid legally. He is suing the government, arguing that the raid was unlawful and an abuse of power. This legal action comes in response to what he and his family describe as an overreach by the authorities.
The police have not provided further comments or detailed explanations regarding the raid. Their silence has left many questions unanswered and fueled further speculation about the nature of the operation and the motives behind it.
This latest incident has sparked widespread outrage and concern about the use of force by law enforcement. The Wanjigi family’s experience highlights issues related to police conduct and the rights of individuals during such operations.
The dramatic and violent nature of the raid has drawn significant attention and criticism, especially given the previous incidents involving the family.
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