DM presidential Jimi Wanjigi (center) addresses a press conference at his Kwacha offices in Westlands, Nairobi.
Presidential aspirant Jimi Wanjigi has declined to give in to orders issued by the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti’s asking him to surrender his firearms within 72 hours.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, February 22, Wanjigi lamented that the directive was a malicious attempt by the DCI to violate his rights and freedom. “The DCI ordered me to surrender non-existent guns and 480 bullets. They have been violating my fundamental rights and freedom. I will neither surrender to this abuse of law enforcement agencies for political purposes,” he stated.
Wanjigi argued that the detectives harbored ulterior motives as they had asked him to surrender firearms that were in their possession. “The High Court granted orders that the firearms be returned to my house but that never happened. Today, he (DCI Kinoti) dares to ask me to return the same firearms,” Wanjigi lamented.
“In 2017, the same Kinoti took three vehicles from my home in Malindi and for five years, the high-end vehicles have been rotting in the police custody. He also tried to issue charges against me and my father,” he added.
Wanjigi is accused of having a CQ, 2 Ceskas, a pistol, shotgun, Glock 19, Ceska, 2 Glocks, rifle, and, a Gilboa. He has also been asked to explain the source of a Glock under the serial number URT 735.
Police had on January 18 raided his posh offices in Westlands, placing the presidential aspirant under siege for more than 18 hours. Authorities claimed an illegal land deal, which Wanjigi is allegedly linked to, led to the 18-hour police action.
Further, Wanjigi wondered how the current directive by the DCI boss coincided with the upcoming ODM’s National Delegates Conference (NDC) slated for Friday, February 25, and Saturday, February 26.
He termed the move as a political witch-hunt by his adversaries to prevent him from contesting in the August 2022 polls. “I want to assure Kenyans that I will be on the ballot and where I will be is where the next government will be formed. It will be a government of the people and for the people of Kenya,” he stated.
