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I’m an innocent man, Wanjigi says after 72 hours siege

Businessman Jimi Wanjigi and his wife Irene Nzisa when they addressed the press on Wednesday/MOSES MUOKI

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 18 – Businessman Jimi Wanjigi has recounted his family’s ordeal during the 72-hour police siege at his palatial residence in Nairobi’s posh Muthaiga suburb and accused them of harassment, while dismissing as a smoke screen another raid at his Malindi villa.

Wanjigi, who addressed a press conference accompanied by his family members and NASA leader Raila Odinga, says he has nothing to hide and is prepared for a full-drawn court battle to prove his innocence.

“It is an unjustified siege that is premised on nothing else but persecution. I am an innocent man as I stand here; everything that you have seen from police is a complete fabrication. Whatever was found here in this home, as they are trying to publicize, are licensed firearms,” he said.

“It is a complete and absolute persecution. If it was not for the will, strength, and prayers of Kenyans, many of us will not be standing here today.”

He emerged after police called off the search at his mansion where they failed to locate him, only announcing that they had seized seven firearms -including an M4 military grade rifle not allowed in civilian hands.

And according to the billionaire, who is affiliated to the National Super Alliance, his wife was assaulted as she was trying to record activities of police in the expansive house.

“There was a search order, but it didn’t say you can break anything. This is personal as every home is,” he said. “If they can do that to some of us who live in these suburbs, “I hate to imagine what the common citizen faces every day,” he asserted.

Wanjigi and his wife already obtained anticipatory bail to bar their arrest and prosecution.

He claimed that the Jubilee Government was formed in the very house police vandalised.

“These are the facts. After the last General Election, it is this home that Baba (Raila Odinga) agreed to shake hands with Uhuru Kenyatta after the Supreme Court upheld his victory,” he said.

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“It is here that a peace direction was accepted.”

Asked where he was all along hiding, a smiling Wanjigi said, “that is a story for another day.”

His father Maina Wanjigi insisted that police should know that “there is a difference between family and politics. In this instance, I didn’t see any difference.”

NASA leader Raila Odinga accused police of harassing the businessman.

His message was clear; “leave Jimi Wanjigi alone!”

Also present was Senator Moses Wetangula and tens of NASA supporters who broke into dance after the news conference.

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