Businessman Jimi Wanjigi received a reprieve on Friday after the High Court in Nairobi issued orders preventing the police from arresting or detaining him.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye, who certified the matter as urgent, directed that it be mentioned on August 16, 2024. The case had been filed in court the previous day.
The court orders stated, “Pending the inter-partes hearing and determination of the Application dated 08/08/2024, a conservatory order be and is hereby issued restraining the Respondents jointly and severally, their servants, agents, or third parties acting under the direction or authority of the Respondents from detaining, arresting, or restraining the liberty and freedom of movement of the Petitioner/Applicant, Jimi Wanjigi.”
Additionally, the court ordered, “In the event that the Respondents jointly or severally, their servants, agents, or third parties acting under the direction or authority of the Respondents have as at the date and time of the issuance of this Court Order detained, arrested, or restrained the liberty and free movement of the Petitioner/Applicant; a further conservatory order be and is hereby issued directing the Respondents jointly and severally, their servants, agents, or third parties acting under the direction or authority of the Respondents to immediately free the Petitioner/Applicant and to take all necessary measures to ensure the same; pending the inter-partes hearing and determination of the Application dated 08/08/2024.”
Wanjigi had approached the court seeking to prevent his arrest in connection with the widely publicized ‘Nane Nane’ protests held in Nairobi on Thursday.
The former presidential candidate claimed that the police had teargassed him and pursued him to his residence on 44 Muthaiga Road, where they then attempted to forcibly enter his home to arrest him.
Wanjigi also refuted police reports alleging that items, including teargas canisters, were seized from one of his escort vehicles outside his residence.
Earlier police had requested the businessman to surrender himself for questioning in relation to the ‘Nane Nane’ protests.
