Businessman Jimi Wanjigi has filed an application in court to prevent his arrest following his alleged involvement in the highly publicized Nane Nane protests in Nairobi on Thursday.
In his court application, Wanjigi alleges that police used teargas on him and pursued him to his home, where they attempted to forcefully enter his residence in order to arrest him.
Wanjigi is seeking a court declaration that the attempted arrest was illegal and unconstitutional, arguing that it infringes on his rights.
“The Respondents’ actions are not lawful, reasonable, or procedurally fair and therefore constitute a violation of Article 47 and Section 4 of the Fair Administrative Action Act, 2015,” his court documents state.
He further claims, “The Respondents’ actions constitute a gross violation of the Constitution by state officers sworn to protect, respect, and defend the Constitution and the public’s rights.”
Wanjigi has also denied police claims that items such as teargas canisters were found in one of his escort vehicles at his Muthaiga residence.
“The Applicant denies knowledge of the stated items and discovery, categorically stating that the motor vehicle in which they were discovered, if at all, does not belong to him or any of his associates or affiliates as reported,” he asserts.
In a press briefing on Thursday evening, the Inspector General of Police reported that officers had recovered four teargas canisters, two Motorola gadgets, seven assorted chargers for pocket phones, and one mobile phone from a vehicle parked outside Wanjigi’s gate.
Earlier in the day, Wanjigi had joined protesters in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), where police dispersed the crowd by launching teargas canisters.
What ensued was a dramatic chase involving Wanjigi’s motorcade and police patrol vehicles, stretching from the CBD to Muthaiga via Thika Road.
Wanjigi’s vehicle reportedly made it inside his compound, while the chase car was abandoned outside the gate just as police arrived.
A heavy police presence, including the DCI’s Special Crimes Unit, remained outside Wanjigi’s house, conducting forensic analysis on the abandoned vehicle.
According to Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli, one person was arrested, and teargas canisters were found in the abandoned vehicle.
Police later ordered Wanjigi to surrender at the nearest police station, though by Friday morning, he had yet to do so.
It is believed that the police are linking Wanjigi to the Nane Nane protests that took place on Thursday.
