Jimi Wanjigi arrested after presenting himself at DCI office

Businessman Jimi Wanjigi has been arrested at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI)’s Milimani office after presenting himself for grilling over his alleged funding of the anti-government protests. 

In a video seen by Citizen Digital, the businessman is seen embroiled in an altercation with police officers shortly after arriving at the DCI’s office on Monday after they prevented him from addressing the media. 

He was expected to meet with Regional Police boss Adamson Bungei to record a statement. Wanjigi was accompanied by his legal team as he was ushered into the DCI office premises. 

In the brief altercation, the businessman tells off the cops who order him to return to his vehicle immediately. 

“Don’t order me, don’t touch me,” Wanjigi is seen telling the officers.

Moments later, Wanjigi's family arrived at the DCI's office. The arrest has elicited debate over why the police defied a court order barring them from arresting the businessman. 

"I don’t like Wanjigi. But I like court orders and the rule of law. There are existing court orders barring this arrest and to proceed in this fashion is a brazen violation of the Constitution. The Kenya judiciary must stop this impunity by (President William) Ruto’s regime and set him free immediately he is presented to them," Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna posted on his X platform. 

Several supporters turned up at the Kamukunji Police Station following Wanjigi's arrest, among them Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his DAP-Kenya counterpart Eugene Wamalwa.

A search warrant was issued on August 16, 2024, giving the police officers the green light to enter his premises to obtain evidence needed to conduct investigations over alleged funding of the anti-government protests. 

In the court order, the magistrate ordered DCI also to open, search, seize and carry ammunition, explosives, documents related to the importation of firearms and any other evidence related to the alleged offence. 

The search warrant came at a time when the High Court extended court orders barring the businessman’s arrest. 

Justice Bahati Mwamuye extended it to September 19, 2024. However, the judge noted that he could not issue an order stopping a charge from being produced against Wanjigi.