Politician and businessman Jimmy Wanjigi has addressed claims that he is funding the ongoing demonstrations, clarifying that the only money he donated was for helping those who were jailed during previous protests.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, the Safina Party leader explained that his financial support was given publicly in June to assist individuals who had been arrested, and he shared this information on his X account.
Wanjigi on donations
“On June 18, when the first Mandamano began, there was a request for money to help those who had been jailed. I publicly donated money to help many come out on bond. Some came out on free bond while others were bonded. I publicly did it and put it in my X feed that I had done,” he stated.
Wanjigi hinted that he might consider funding youth if a channel existed. He termed the use of tear gas against demonstrators as illegal.
He insisted that the youth were exercising their democratic rights and had not done anything wrong to warrant the kind of treatment they get from the police.
“Let me say that if there was some channel, I can take the little money I have to ensure they have water and toothpaste so that they can handle this tear gas that is legally thrown at them. Are they doing anything illegal? No, they are exercising their democratic right,” he added.
Raid on Wanjigi’s home
This clarification comes after armed officers raided Wanjigi’s residence in Muthaiga, Nairobi, following reports that he was funding youth to participate in yesterday’s Nane Nane protests.
Police said that Wanjigi had been seen on Limuru Road distributing money to a group of young people. They reported that he fled the scene and disappeared into Karura Forest.
