Businessman Jimi Wanjigi has been released on a Ksh10 million bond by a Magistrates Court, pending a ruling on whether his plea-taking will be deferred in a case involving allegations of possessing unlicensed firearms.
Chief Magistrate Susan Shitubi, presiding over the case, directed Wanjigi to deposit his passport with the court as the ruling is set for September 12, 2024.
The decision follows an application filed by Wanjigi seeking to defer his plea, claiming his rights had been violated.
Represented by a legal team led by Senior Counsel Paul Muite, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, and lawyer Willis Otieno, Wanjigi argued that a High Court order issued by Justice Bahati Mwamuye had barred his arrest and detention over the firearms issue.
“Allow the plea to be postponed to give us an opportunity to challenge the High Court for the reason that when he was arrested, there was a valid court order,” Muite told the court.
Otieno further revealed that during a police raid on Wanjigi’s residence, the only items seized were iPhones, iPads, and three flags—confiscated without a search warrant.
“Now they want to present a charge in court for disobedience of court orders?” Otieno questioned.
Wanjigi has denied allegations that he failed to surrender firearms as required by the State, maintaining his innocence as the legal battle continues.
The court’s decision on whether to defer the plea will be closely watched, with significant implications for both Wanjigi and the enforcement of court orders in Kenya.
