The High Court has issued conservatory orders blocking the Kenya National Police Service (NPS) from effecting the arrest of embattled billionaire businessman Jimi Wanjigi.

This is after Wanjigi moved to court on Friday morning, August 9, 2024, seeking the court's intervention after police raided his house on Thursday evening, August 8.

Justice Bahati Mwamuye in his ruling certified the matter as urgent and directed that it be mentioned on August 16, 2024.

“Pending the inter-partes hearing and determination of the Application dated 08/08/2024, a conservatory order be and is hereby issued restraining the Respondents jointly and severally, their servants, agents, or third parties acting under the direction or authority of the Respondents from detaining, arresting, or restraining the liberty and freedom of movement of the Petitioner/Applicant, Jimi Wanjigi,” read the court orders.

Wanjigi had sued Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Igonga and the Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli for what he terms as a politically motivated raid on his home.

In a press statement on Thursday, Masengeli claimed that police had trailed a vehicle belonging to Wanjigi leading to the discovery of teargas canisters, police communication gadgets and other items inside the vehicles.

He also claimed that grenades were found in the vehicle.

“In the vehicle, we have recovered 4 teargas canisters, two Motorola gadgets, seven assorted chargers for the pocket phones, and one mobile phone. Investigators are on the ground to ascertain more details,” he explained.

Wanjigi has since denied the claims, stating that he is being framed to settle political scores.

Speaking to the media on Friday, Wanjigi's son revealed that police raided the property at around 7 pm on Thursday, assaulted him, and made his mother and sister lie on the floor before ransacking the property.

"They also came back at around 6 am and said they wanted to search even more," he said.

Lawyer Willis Otieno revealed that the family took an inventory of all the property in the house, taking note of all missing items from the first search which included phones, tablets, and other house security communication gadgets.

Otieno further revealed that during the Friday morning raid, the police allegedly took watches, jewellery and money.

"There was nothing like a police operation. That was an armed robbery targetting Wanjigi for his political beliefs," the lawyer said.