By The Weekly Vision
The police have been temporarily barred from entering or trespassing on the Muthaiga residence of politician and businessman Jimi Wanjigi, pending a court ruling on an application. High Court Judge Joe Omido also ordered Acting Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli, along with any officers under his command, to refrain from seizing or damaging any property belonging to Wanjigi’s family.
This follows a court petition by Wanjigi’s wife, Irene Nzisa Wanjigi, and their children, who accused the police of raiding their home on August 8 and causing destruction while confiscating various items, including mobile phones, money, and valuable possessions like earrings and gold rings.
“The Notice of Motion dated September 9, 2024, is certified as urgent. Prayers 2, 5, and 6 of the Notice of Motion are granted on an interim basis until September 24, 2024,” the court order reads. Justice Omido issued an order restraining the defendants or anyone acting under their authority from committing any acts of violence against the plaintiffs.
Nzisa Wanjigi was instructed to serve court documents to Masengeli and the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Mohamed Amin. The case is set to be mentioned on September 24 for further instructions. In her court submission, Wanjigi described how, on the evening of August 8 and into the following morning, police officers forced entry into their Muthaiga residence. “During the invasion, they destroyed our gate, broke into the main house, smashed doors and windows, and damaged our CCTV cameras, lighting, and home automation systems,” she stated.
She also claimed that the police physically assaulted them, kicking, slapping, and beating them before stealing their mobile phones. Nzisa said the family was held under siege for two days, with no one allowed to enter or leave, effectively detaining them without access to food or external help.
Nzisa further emphasized that this raid is part of a pattern, noting that their home has been targeted by state agents in previous years, including in 2017 and 2022, with similar destruction of property and physical assaults taking place. She suggested that these repeated raids were driven by a vendetta from the state.
