Police seize seven guns, 600 bullets from Jimmy Wanjigi’s residence

Police have recovered seven guns and 600 rounds of ammunition from businessman Jimmy Wanjigi’s palatial home in Muthaiga, Nairobi.

The officers recovered five pistols licenced to Mr Wanjigi, one shotgun and a military grade M4 assault rifle.

The M4 rifle, which is not allowed on civilian hands, was not licenced to the controversial businessman, according to police. However, family members who were present during the raid informed journalists that the weapons are registered.

The operation was conducted by a multi-agency team drawn from the elite Flying Squad, Special Crimes Prevention Unit and General Service Unit (GSU).

The police officers raided the tycoon’s home after temporarily obtaining a warrant to search all his properties after Wanjigi locked himself in a strong room for hours, an operation which has since been stopped by the High Court.

The agents had been granted permission to “open, search, have access, seize, remove and carry away, firearms ammunition and explosives, as well as documents related to importation of weapons.”

Officers were seen moving into the house with a toolbox and equipment including bolt cutters and sledgehammers, an indication that they intended to force their way into rooms they were unable to access.

Head of Flying Squad Said Mohamed on Monday said detectives had gone after Wanjigi to question him over links to the cache of weapons; five AK-47 rifles and 93 rounds of ammunition that were recovered at a house in Malindi.

However, Wanjigi moved to court seeking orders to compel Inspector General of police Joseph Boinett and Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko to halt the operation.

In an application filed through Murumba & Awele Advocates, the businessman says the weapons connection claimed by the police “has been concocted and conveniently framed to embarrass him and merely meant to settle political scores.”

Justice Chacha Mwita granted Mr Wanjigi a Ksh50,000 anticipatory bail and ordered police not to arrest the businessman until his case is heard on October 19.

Meanwhile, the whereabouts of the businessman, who has since secured stay orders on his imminent arrest, is yet to be established.