Businessman Jimmy Wanjigi in handcuffs at the DCI headquarters in Nairobi
In Summary:
- Police stated Wanjigi’s arrest followed confirmation that six rifles found at his home were unlicensed.
- Wanjigi will be prosecuted on Tuesday, August 20, despite court orders barring his arrest.
Businessman Jimi Wanjigi was Monday arrested and will be detained at Kamukunji Police Station over allegations of illegal firearm possession.
The police stated that they arrested him after the Firearms Licensing Board confirmed that six rifles found at his home were not licensed.
A senior officer said, “The chairman licensing board advised us to take legal action against him over the illegal possession of the firearms and that is why he is being detained.”
The officer further stated that the arrest was unrelated to an earlier probe concerning the Nane Nane protests or the alleged possession of teargas canisters.
Wanjigi had presented himself at the Nairobi Area DCI offices for questioning, following an August 8 failed attempt to arrest him at his residence.
Despite court orders stopping his arrest, Wanjigi was detained after his arrival for the session around 2 p.m.
Wanjigi’s legal team had secured a court order on August 16, extending the prohibition on his arrest until September 19.
However, the judge clarified that the order did not prevent the registration of a charge sheet against him, as it only addressed the issue of arrest and not prosecution.