Businessman Jimmy Wanjingi’s now claims that the late night raid at his Kwacha House office was a scheme aimed to silence him politically.
Wanjigi’s office was yesterday raided by more than a dozen detectives in what was said to be part of investigations on alleged land grab.
Wanjigi linked the raid to some political statements he made over the weekend while popularising his presidential bid, where he accused some top political figures of dishonesty.
Over the weekend, Wanjigi vowed to fight for “democracy” in Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), remarks he said might have irked ‘some people.’
“We will not tire to fight for democracy within the ODM Party. As a National party, members have the final say on who should represent them and that is non negotiable,” he said.
“I speak nothing but the truth. We shall continue speaking the truth.”
The city-based businessman told a local TV station that his troubles come after his declaration and interest to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta whose second and final term is ending on August 9, 2022.
Wanjigi is seeking to run on an ODM ticket, but he has to battle it out with the party leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
“Why are they uncomfortable with my candidature?” he rhetorically asked.
According to Wanjigi, it was the police who raided his Westlands office.
“They wanted me,” Wanjigi said. “They said that they want me to go and record a statement at the DCI headquarters.”
The heavily armed detectives, in tactical gear conducted a search in the offices but there were no immediate reports of arrests.
Sources indicates that Wanjigi has been at the centre of a land tussle after two businessmen claimed ownership of a one-acre piece of land on General Mathenge Road in Westlands.
Wanjigi, who has expressed interest to run for presidency in the August elections, insists he has valid licences for the firearms.
A time stamp on what is believed to be an image from CCTV footage at the premises showed several suspected police officers outside Wanjigi’s office attempting to gain entry.
The images were shortly after dispersed on social media with colleagues and friends of the businessman expressing concerns over his safety.
However, this is not the first-time police they have raided his offices.
Back in 2017, detectives attached to the Special Crimes Prevention Unit (SCPU) descended on Kwacha House as well as his residential homes in Nairobi and Malindi in search of alleged illegal firearms.
Most recently he was thrust into a new controversy after obtaining a court order to have the Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti sentenced for failing to honour a court order to return guns confiscated from during a raid at his Muthaiga home in 2017.