The family of prominent Kenyan businessman Jimi Wanjigi recently endured a harrowing 12-hour ordeal during a police raid at their home in Muthaiga, Nairobi.
The incident, which occurred on the night of August 8, 2024, has raised serious questions about police conduct and the potential misuse of power in targeting political opponents.
Maina Wanjigi, the son of Jimi Wanjigi, recounted the events that unfolded when a group of masked police officers arrived at their residence at around 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. Armed with assault rifles, the officers forcibly entered the home without presenting a search warrant.
According to Maina, the officers immediately began to assault the family members, including his mother and sister, who were kicked in the head and forced to lie on the floor.
Maina himself was beaten by five officers, who showed no regard for the family's safety or well-being.
Despite the brutality they faced, the Wanjigi family chose to comply with the officers' demands, hoping to avoid further harm. The police conducted an extensive search of the home, seizing several items, including iPhones, iPads, walkie-talkies used for internal communication, and a fuel purchase receipt.
This first raid continued for several hours, finally ending at around 4:00 a.m. However, the family’s ordeal was far from over.
Just two hours later, at approximately 6:00 a.m., a second group of masked officers arrived at the Wanjigi home. This time, the officers dragged the family members out of bed and began another search, claiming they needed to inspect the property further.
During this second raid, the power and Wi-Fi were cut off, leaving the family in a state of confusion and fear. The second group of officers allegedly stole valuable items, including jewelry, cash, and other personal belongings, turning what should have been a law enforcement operation into what the Wanjigi family has described as an armed robbery.
The family’s lawyer, Willis Otieno, strongly condemned the actions of the police. He argued that the second raid was not a legitimate police operation but rather an attack aimed at intimidating the Wanjigi family due to Jimi Wanjigi’s political stance against the current government.
Otieno accused the police of planting evidence to frame Wanjigi, in response to a statement made by Acting Inspector General of Police, Gilbert Masengeli. Masengeli had claimed that the officers discovered teargas canisters, police communication gadgets, and smoke grenades during the raid.
Otieno dismissed these allegations as fabricated, stating that one of the family members had seen an officer carrying a blue bag with items resembling smoke grenades, suggesting that the evidence was brought in by the police.
The Wanjigi family has announced their intention to take legal action against the police for the illegal raids and theft. This incident has sparked a broader conversation about the misuse of police power and the potential targeting of individuals based on their political beliefs.
Many are concerned that such actions undermine the rule of law and set a dangerous precedent for how political differences are handled in the country.
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