Kikuyu Member of Parliament Kimani Ichung’wa on Tuesday, January 18 condemned the dramatic arrest of businessman Jimi Wanjigi.
Speaking at a rally in Lang’ata, Ichung’wa claimed that Wanjigi who is eyeing the presidency on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket was being frustrated for challenging Raila Odinga’s presidential bid.
“We have seen they have sent police to Jimi Wanjigi because he is planning to run for the presidency on an ODM ticket,” he said.
“We have all heard that today (Tuesday) detectives attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested Wanjigi after a 20-hour siege in his office. We all know he is being arrested because of his political stand,” Ichung’wa added.
According to the lawmaker, Wanjigi’s woes began after he fell out with Raila over his bid to challenge him over an ODM party ticket for the presidential elections.
He claimed that, unlike ODM where those who challenge the former prime minister for the party tickets are allegedly frustrated, their party, UDA has welcomed anybody to challenge Deputy President William Ruto for its presidential ticket.
“In United Democratic Alliance (UDA) anyone who is eyeing the presidency and wants to battle it out with hustler (Ruto) is welcomed since we believe in Democracy,” the politician said.
Inchung’wa’s sentiment concurs with that of Wanjigi who spoke to the media moments after being nubbed by the DCI sleuths at his home in Westlands, Nairobi.
Wanjigi dismissed claims by the detectives that he was being arrested over land fraud allegations noting that his tribulations were because of his political stand. According to him, it is President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga who are behind his owes.
