Elite police units dramatically raided the residence of controversial businessman Jimmy Wanjigi’s Muthaiga home in a sting weapon recovery operation.
Detectives attached to Special Crime Prevention Unit (SCPU) and Flying Squad officers ransacked the house next to American Ambassador Residence Robert Godec.
According to intelligence report, police were following leads over possible illegal storage of imported arms, communication gadgets and items believed to match military hardware.
The raid in one of the highly guarded residences was executed in hours after a cache of weapons and hundreds of ammunition of different caliber was recovered at a villa in Malindi.
AK47 rifles are not licensed for civilian use and can only be owned by state. Police sources indicated Wanjigi own the Malindi houses now treated as crime scene. Efforts to confirm ownership proved futile.
Yesterday, Nasa leaders led by Siaya Senator James Orengo, Suna East Member of Parliament Junet Mohammed and former Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama also visited the posh townhouse as friends of Wanjigi.
Orengo said police made it clear they want to arrest Wanjigi terming the move as trumped up charges. By yesterday evening, Wanjigi was not seen although it was said he is inside the house. Junet said police action is politically motivated over Wanjigi’s association with Nasa.
“We came here as friends of Jimmy Wanjigi. We have talked to the two officers in charge of this operation. We have also talked to Jimmy’s wife and father but we have not been able to see Jimmy. We are not even sure he is here. Police have made it very clear they want to arrest him” Orengo said.
They said the raid was in respect to arms recovery in Malindi but they are not sure that police have ascertained the villa belongs to Wanjigi as claimed.
“Nobody in his right mind can keep guns in an open store. Whatever they found could have been planted. They need a warrant of arrest and even serve the owner. There is no way police can prosecute such a case,” Orengo added.
They said he is being tormented for supporting the Raila Odinga led opposition. Police were hovering within the compound as leaders and relatives were barred from accessing some parts of the compound.
The rarely public visible and media unfriendly Wanjigi known for tenderpreunership skills and immense influence came to the public limelight in support of the National Super Alliance (Nasa) team.
The father, former powerful minister Maina Wanjigi checked in minutes to 5pm “I have talked to him (Jimmy). I will talk to you later.” The former minister said.
